MSPS vote to repeal controversial football law

The Scottish Government has pledged to respect the will of parliament after MSPS voted in favour of repealing controversial legislation aimed at tackling sectarian behaviour at football.

Community safety minister Annabelle Ewing said the 65 to 61 vote in Holyrood marked a “sad day for Scotland”, adding all parties must work together to mitigate the impact of the decision.

An SNP MSP has admitted that he sang sectarian songs at football as a teenager – but stopped because “times change”.

Glasgow Cathcart MSP James Dornan, a life-long Celtic fan, has been the subject of protests at Parkhead by the club’s Green Brigade over the Offensive behaviour at Football Act.

Mr Dornan hit back yesterday, telling MSPS he has been a Celtic fan for 60 years.

“I saw them in both their long barren spells as a young child before Stein came and through the Macari and Brady years. And yet apparently I no longer qualify for this unique club because I oppose their right to bring sectarian songs and songs about terrorism and the loss of innocent lives – including the lives of many Irish people into the stadia.

I sang those songs – I sang them when I was a teenager during the 60s and early 70s.

“But times changes – the situation in Ireland changed and I got older.”