Yousaf addresses freedom of speech worries

Justice Secretary Hu m z a Yo u s a f has revealed he is open to extending the “breadth and depth” of freedom of expression clauses contained in Scotland’s draft hate crime laws.

The SNP politician made the admission during an e vidence session led by members of Holyrood’s Justice Committee yesterday.

The controversial draft legislation attracted criticism from a range of organisations including the Scottish Police Federation, the Law Society of Scotland, the BBC and a range of faith groups, who expressed concerns it would stifle freedom of expression.

In response to a question by committee member L iam Mc A r t h u r on the “narrowly drawn and generic” freedom of expression provisions, Mr Yousaf said he is “very actively considering both the breadth and depth of the freedom of expression clauses”.

The Cabinet secretary revealed he is “very open” to considering widening the provisions to cover each protected characteristic covered by the new offences: age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variation in sex characteristics.

Currently, the Bill only offers provisions for religion and sexual orientation.

Mr Yousaf also told MSPs he was looking at whether the protection clauses could “go further”, pointing at the example of England and Wales where the c lauses a l low expressions of “antipathy, ridicule and insult”.

He added: “We’re looking at all those issues in the round, I would anticipate some further change around the freedom of expression clause probably coming at stage two.”