Bigotry group’s head is named
A senior academic is to head a working group to define sectarianism in Scots law.
It is hoped the group’s work will make it easier for police and prosecutors to tackle sectarian behaviour.
Communi t y Sa fet y Minister Annabelle Ewing sa id ye s t erd ay that Professor Duncan Morrow, of Ulster University, would chair the group.
Ewing also announced more than £ 50 0,0 0 0 of funding for ant i - sectarianism work.
Projects include teacher and youth work training, engagement with online communities and a school exchange programme with Northern Ireland.
The announcements come just over a week after MSPs vot ed to sc rap Scot t ish Government legislation which aimed to tackle sectarianism in football.
Ewing said: “Sectarianism must be tackled with the same conviction as every other hate crime.
“We have delivered an unprecedented range of activities to tackle the issue … and this funding builds on these achievements.”
Morrow sa id : “The continuing Government support for communitybased projects is evidence of genuine commitment to tackle sectarian issues where they matter – in real lives.
“I look forwa rd to taking this opportunity to explore the options for improving the legal basis for protecting against sectarianism.”