Axing sectarian law ‘would be historic’

Scrapping a law aimed at tackling sectarian behaviour at football would be a historic moment for devolution, an MSP has said.

Opposition parties have united behind a bid by Labour’s James Kelly to repeal the controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act.

Marking the lodging of his Member’s Bill at the Scottish Parliament, Mr Kelly said the SNP had treated Holyrood with “contempt”.

The Act came into force in 2012 after the SNP used its majority in the last Parliament to pass it despite a lack of support from other parties.

After losing that majority at the 2016 Holyrood election, the Nationalists suffered a symbolic defeat last year when Tory, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green MSPS backed a motion calling for its repeal.

Commenting on the bill, Mr Kelly said: “The law sums up how arrogant the SNP has become in government - and the contempt ministers have for Parliament.

“Lawyers, academics, football fans and every opposition party opposed the law as it made its way through Parliament.”