Scottish hate crime law is nonsensical
CAN Scottish politicians not see what will happen with their hate crime law? The number of ways in which people can be offended is huge and the police, already struggling to deal with real crimes, will be snowed under with petty complaints from easily offended minorities.
JOHN BIRKS, Harrogate, N. Yorks.
IF I make any unguarded comments while on holiday in Scotland that upset some poor soul, and I’m charged under the SNP’s new antifree-speech law, can they have me extradited from England?
I suppose it’s good news that Scottish police have now locked away every drug dealer in Edinburgh, so they have time to enforce the new law.
ROGER PERRIN, Andover, Hants.
POLICE Scotland say they expect to be bombarded with reports of alleged crimes. But as a Scot, I wonder why they are concerned about imaginary violations when they don’t turn up for real crimes such as housebreaking.
WILLIAM LENNOX, Eastbourne, E. Sussex. I CAN’T help wondering whether the Hate Crime Act will have any impact on the uncharitable attitude of some Scots towards the English, never mind the ‘banter’ between Rangers and Celtic fans.
T. PHILLIPS, London E10.
THE new Scottish hate crime legislation will effectively criminalise simple statements of opinion and even of facts.
Given that the SNP is itself founded on hate — of the English — what a delicious irony if it were to be prosecuted under its own legislation.
LIONEL BOND, nottingham.
ANYONE with a shred of sanity, even in this brave new woke world, can see the Scottish Disassembly’s new law is ludicrous. Get a grip before it’s too late.
STEVE FORSHAW, kettering, northants.
THOSE of us who experienced life in Nicolae Ceausescu’s Romania soon realised why no one dared express an opinion. His ‘politically correct’ enforcers scrutinised almost every word spoken, and each had their own list of do’s and don’ts. It would seem that what people in Scotland say is to be subjected to similar scrutiny.
BRIAN CHRISTLEY, Abergele, Conwy.
IN MY day, if someone said something nasty or hurtful, I would reply ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’. or there was always ‘you can’t insult me, you’re not intelligent enough’.
R. FRENCH, Brentwood, Essex.
I WONDER if Mel Gibson will make a Braveheart follow-up where the Scots fight for freedom from themselves.
DAVID PERRY, Broadstairs, kent.