Greyfriars Bobby statue’s new look includes sign of the times

The statue of Greyfriars Bobby, in Edinburgh’s Old Town, has been decked out in a protective face mask and knitted coat as lockdown continues.

MSPs have voted in favour of controversial hate crime legislation, which critics claim marks a “dark day for freedom of expression in Scotland”.

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, described as the “most controversial in the Scottish Parliament’s history”, achieved majority support from MSPs despite concerns it could lead to a potential “chilling effect” on freedom of expression.

Leading the final debate on the Bill in the Scottish Parliament, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said the legislation “will strengthen the law to tackle hate crime in a way that protects the rights of everyone to live their lives free of harm, while protecting the rights to freedom of expression”.

However, the final vote was delayed from Wednesday following a mammoth five-hour debate at the Bill’s third and final stage in parliament, with several MSPs raising concerns over women’s rights and the omission of sex as a group offered protection under the Bill.

The Hate Crime Bill, which passed 82 votes to 32, would consolidate a number of laws into one piece of legislation, but would also add the offence of “stirring up hatred” on the grounds of religion, sexual orientation, age, disability and transgender identity.

Former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars is among the vocal critics of the Bill and argued that the “very badly flawed legislation” will “ultimately be tested in court”.

Scottish Labour MSP Johann Lamont repeatedly argued the legislation could have a “chilling effect” on women’s rights campaigners who want to raise concerns on issues of gender identity and transgender rights.