Government thanks anti-gun campaigner in Edinburgh

A father whose toddler son was killed by a gunman with an illegal weapon will be presented with a letter of thanks from the UK Government today, recognising his campaigning efforts.

David Grimason has worked with Oxfam to help bring about global change. Picture: Ian Georgeson

David Grimason, who lost his two-year-old son Alistair in 2003, has pressed for tighter controls on the trade of weapons for the past decade.

An international Arms Trade Treaty was approved by the United Nations last month.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore will present Mr Grimason with the letter of thanks during an event in Edinburgh today to celebrate the successful negotiation of the treaty.

Mr Grimason will also talk about his personal experience of the negotiations.

Alistair was killed during a gunfight at a cafe in the seaside village of Foca, Turkey.

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The toddler was asleep in his pram when an argument broke out at a nearby table and a man opened fire, killing the boy from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire.

Mr Grimason, who now lives in Aberdeen, has worked with Oxfam, which is a leading member of the Control Arms coalition, to help bring about global change.

The treaty was approved by member states of the United Nations General Assembly last month and opens for signature at a ceremony in New York on June 3.