Yousaf not surprised by high hate crime complaint numbers
Scotland's First Minister has said he is "very, very concerned" by the number of "vexatious" complaints lodged under the country's new hate crime law in its early days – but he is not surprised.
The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into effect on Monday, prompting thousands of complaints in its first few days, including some against Humza Yousaf himself, according to reports.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, Mr Yousaf said he is concerned about the high numbers but added any new law is likely to see numerous early "vexatious" complaints.
He said: "It's not a huge surprise that when legislation is first introduced there can sometimes be a flurry of vexatious complaints.
"We've obviously seen that and I would say to people don't make vexatious complaints – you should desist – because what you're doing is wasting precious police resources and time.
"But I am very, very concerned about the fact that we have seen those complaints, but at the same time I know that police are very adept at dealing with vexatious complaints, they do it every day and they know how to treat them."
The act – which consolidates existing hate crime legislation and creates an offence of stirring up hatred against certain protected characteristics – came into force in the week leading up to an Old Firm game – the most highlycharged football fixture in
Scotland. Mr Yousaf said the law offers protections for free speech – a key concern of the Act's detractors.
The law has a "very high criminal threshold", he said, with an offence required to be threatening or abusive and the accused having to intend to stir up hatred, adding he has "every confidence" in the police to handle Old Firm games.
The First Minister also hit out at Scottish Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who both voted in favour of the bill in 2021, claiming they have "run for the hills" when it comes to defending the legislation in public.
Scottish Labour leader
Anas Sarwar said this week he would not repeal the act if he was first minister, but would amend it to include sex as a protected characteristic – a move the Scottish Government decided against in favour of a standalone bill outlawing misogyny.
Mr Sarwar added that there had been flaws.