Hate law changes ‘still threat’ to speech

CONTROVERSIAL hate crime proposals are still a threat to free speech, opponents have warned – despite Humza Yousaf being forced to rewrite and drop large parts of the legislation.

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill aims to update existing laws for protected characteristics such as disability, race, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity.

The latest changes come after Mr Yousaf last month announced a climbdown after an outcry over proposals on offences of “stirring-up hatred”, which critics fear will stifle freedom of expression.

Section 5 of the Bill, which deals with offences relating to possession of inflammatory materials has now been binned after Scotland’s Catholic bishops raised concerns that possessing the Bible could become an offence under the proposed legislation.

The Scottish Government said there would now be a strengthening of the protection for freedom of expression.

Scottish Conservative shadow justice spokesman, Liam Kerr, said: “While this climbdown by the SNP is welcome it is also long overdue and clearly does not go far enough.

“Tinkering is not going to fix this bill’s significant problems, which risk striking at the heart of freedom of speech.”

Mr Yousaf said: “Through the whole process I have listened to concerns raised and proposed amendments to be introduced at Stage 2 of the Bill to address these concerns.

“That approach will not change.

“I will continue to listen to concerns members may have about any aspect of the Bill and, where possible, will try and reach common ground.

“Confronting hate crime is central to building the safer, stronger and inclusive Scotland that we all want to see.”