Glasgow Times

SNP warned over bid to scrap Football Act

LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE IN PERTH

- By STEWART PATERSON Political Correspond­ent

THE SNP must not move the goalposts to block a Members Bill to scrap the controvers­ial Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, a Glasgow MSP has warned.

James Kelly, Glasgow Labour MSP, will lodge his bill to repeal the act before the end of the football season and expects it to become law by the end of the year.

He has warned the SNP that it must not use the inclusion of the act in a separate government review of hate crime to prevent the bill going through.

At the Labour Conference in Perth, Mr Kelly said that parliament has voted on the issue and is in support of scrapping the act.

He said he is confident he has enough support from opposition MSPs to get his bill passed and said it must go through.

The MSP said he backs a review of hate crime legislatio­n however he does not see the need for the football act to be included.

He said: “Parliament has already taken a vote on the Football Act and made it clear it should be repealed.

“I will have absolutely no truck with the SNP using the inclusion of the Football Act in the hate crime review to halt any progress of the Bill though parliament.

“Once I lodge the Bill I will be seeking support in Parliament for progress of the Bill to be made as quickly as possible.”

He said that could take six months – meaning it could be passed by the end of the year.

“I’ve lodged proposals and had proper consultati­on with more than 3000 response and a vote in parliament.

“Bearing in mind how unpopular this act is and how unworkable it is and the fact it has already been passed as the view of parliament, it should be repealed and the SNP shouldn’t be blocking it.

“It is critical the view of parliament is respected it would be totally unacceptab­le to block it.

“We’ve heard plenty in recent weeks about respecting the will of parliament.

“This is not just a Member’s Bill that’s being floated, there has actually been a vote on this issue and the SNP have to respect that so let’s have no delays in considerat­ion of this Bill.

“All opposition parties not only voted to support repeal, but all signed up.

“I am confident every opposition MSP will support it.”

The MSP said if it is allowed to progress as normal then work by the Justice Committee to begin considerin­g the Bill could start before the parliament breaks for recess at end of June.

Mr Kelly said if there was any attempt to delay the Bill he would be contacting the Scottish Parliament Bureau immediatel­y to ensure the bill is progressed.

Paul Wilcox, of the Fans Against Criminalis­ation group said: “People have been arrested under this with nothing to do with hate crime.”

 ??  ?? James Kelly, Glasgow MSP, will lodge his Members Bill to Scrap the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act
James Kelly, Glasgow MSP, will lodge his Members Bill to Scrap the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act
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