Campaigner calls for government clarity over gay convictions pardon law

A campaigner has warned the Scottish Government must make clear the difference between a pardon for gay men convicted of now-abolished sexual offences and having the conviction legally disregarded.

Paul Twocock, of gay rights organisation Stonewall UK, welcomed the planned new legislation to automatically pardon all gay men convicted of historical discriminatory offences and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s apology for what she said were “completely unjust” laws.

He said once the law is passed it must be effectively publicised that men still have to apply for the convictions to be legally disregarded in order to have their criminal records updated.

He warned a failure to make this clear could lead to men being barred from some jobs due to convictions which the government has recognised are wrong.

Giving evidence to Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee on the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) Bill, he said similar legislation in England and Wales had sparked “absolute confusion” on the difference between a pardon and disregard.

He said the government should work with LGBT organisations on this.