THE Scottish Tories have been branded a “disgrace” over plans to completely scrap the Scottish Government’s controversial hate crimes legislation.
Douglas Ross’s party will press a motion in Holyrood tomorrow, calling on the Scottish ministers to withdraw the bill.
The proposed law has come in for some fierce criticism from all sides of the spectrum, but the Tory call to abandon it altogether, instead of changing it, has left a number of organisations aghast.
The bill is in two parts. The first, which is widely supported, updates existing laws and and adds to the groups currently specifically protected by hate crime laws.
It’s the second part of the legislation which has caused the most controversy – this includes the creation a new crime of stirring up hatred.
Opponents say this could lead to criminal proceedings over comments deemed unintentionally offensive.
Roddy Dunlop QC, dean of the Faculty of Advocates, said last month that this could mean comedians who tell a “Scotsman, Irishman and Englishman” joke may face jail.
The Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, complained the changes would shatter trust in the police.
Ross said: “Whatever the original good intentions of this bill were, the breadth and depth of opposition to its clear flaws are too strong for the SNP to try to force it through.
“We cannot allow such a blatant attack on freedom of speech in Scotland to progress any further.”
The Scottish Tory leader added: “Everyone agrees on the need for legislation to tackle hate crime in Scotland.
“But by trying to fix a doomed bill that clearly needs to be reworked, we’re wasting time that the Parliament needs to hold the SNP Government to account on care home deaths and their domestic record.”
Ross called on the other opposition parties at Holyrood to unite with the Tories for tomorrow’s vote.
The Equality Network said the comments, made in an interview with the Daily Mail, were a “disgrace”.
Taking to Twitter, they said: “We also think that the stirring up hatred offences in part two are needed, but we (like other supporters of the bill) are open to those being amended to ensure that they do not impact free speech.
“That is what should be done with the bill, not scrapping it ‘once and for all’. Needless to say we would be shocked beyond measure if @scottishlabour or @scotlibdems supported such a proposal – it would completely undermine their reputations as parties of equality.”
BEMIS, the national umbrella body supporting the development of the ethnic minorities voluntary sector in Scotland, said “killing this bill would be a retrograde step”.
Ross is unlikely to have the support of the LibDems. Their justice spokesman, Liam McArthur, said the party is supportive though had concerns with the new offence.
“We remain committed to working with ministers and others to help deliver legislation that is effective but strikes the proper balance in this complex and sensitive area of law.”
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf tweeted: “While recognising concerns around [the] Hate Crime Bill, there are many sections of society – often minorities – who are targets of hatred, verbal and physical. Parliament should listen to their voices. Correct approach is to debate and amend [the] bill where necessary, not silence those voices”.
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