Hateful debates

David gray( letters ,13 august) makes excellent points. If the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill ever becomes law, an unintended consequence must surely be to save us from the rancid exchanges between party leaders during First Ministers Questions.

The Scottish Parliament has turned out to be nothing like the constructive and co-operative place of business for the benefit of Scotland, as promoted and hoped for during the explanatory roadshows in 1998, prior to its inception. It was meant to be a welcome change from the turgid style of Westminster.

Instead it has become a similarly vituperative and antagonistic arena where insult and point-scoring seem to be its only purpose. It is a poor advertisement for Scotland and its future aspirations, either within or without the UK.

MALCOLM PARKIN Gamekeepers Road. Kinnesswood, Kinross