Minister admits he WILL amend Hate Bill after backlash

THE Justice Secretary has pledged to ‘amend’ the Hate Crime Bill ‘where necessary’ following a growing backlash.

Humza Yousaf yesterday confirmed that Scottish government ministers recognise ‘concerns’, including fears that the proposals will undermine freedom of speech.

But he rejected an attempt by the Scottish tories to have the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill scrapped.

instead, he said the Scottish government would listen to concerns – and urged MSPs to back the SNP in a vote on the issue tomorrow.

the Mail yesterday revealed that the tories are set to bring forward a debate on the Bill. their motion calling for it to be ‘withdrawn’ completely is set to fall. However, it is understood labour and the liberal Democrats have threatened to drop their support for the proposed legislation in official votes if Mr Yousaf fails to amend the Bill adequately as it progresses.

the proposed legislation has drawn criticism from opposition parties as well as lawyers, police officers, sheriffs and the BBC.

Around 2,000 submissions were made to the Scottish parliament’s consultation on the Bill which, if passed into law, could result in jail sentences of up to seven years for those convicted of ‘stirring up’ hatred.

Critics say it is badly drafted and will undermine freedom of speech. Mr Yousaf tweeted: ‘While recognising concerns around Hate Crime Bill, there are many sections of society – often minorities – who are targets of hatred, verbal & physical. Parliament should listen to their voices.

‘Correct approach is to debate and amend the Bill where necessary, not silence those voices.’

Mr Yousaf said the government would work to ‘find common ground’ and ‘compromise where necessary’ as parliament considers the details of the Bill. But he added: ‘Any attempt to have the Bill withdrawn before it has gone through the parliamentary process should be resisted as that would silence the voices of those most affected by hate crime.’

While some organisations such as the equality Network and Victim Support Scotland have spoken in favour of the Bill, the tories warned of ‘clear flaws’.

the Conservative motion will call for it to be withdrawn. labour, the lib Dems and greens have said they will not vote in favour but will instead push for amendments.

lib Dem justice spokesman liam McArthur said his party will ‘remain supportive of the overall aim of updating hate crime law’. But he added: ‘the broad brush “stirring up” provisions are such significant flaws that they risk undermining those aims. the Justice Secretary must agree to remove any potential threat to free and open debate.’

Scottish tory leader Douglas 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 to progress any further.’

Graham Grant – Page 16

‘Potential threat to open debate’