Left-handed people and tattooed can’t use hate crime law

KEMI BADENOCH has dismissed calls for discrimination legislation to be widened to include left-handed people and those who have tattoos.

The Business Secretary, who is also equalities minister, said campaigners had inundated her with demands to extend the list of groups that can claim to be the victims of hate crime. A total of groups, which includes single people, asexuals, fat people, ugly people and poor people, have asked to be included as having protected characteristic under the Equality Act.

Ms Badenoch last week rejected MPS’ calls for the menopause to be added to the list, saying it was “not a good idea” and was based on a misunderstanding of the proposed law.

“The menopause can be dealt with, alongside three existing ones: age, sex, and disability, because it is a health condition,” she explained.

Labour’s 2010 Equality Act provides protects the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all.