Yousaf: hate crime law - accused of ignoring warnings

Yousaf: hate crime law – accused of ignoring warnings

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act comes into force on April 1.

But the legislation comes under fire from opponents. Some claim the new act could lead to a chilling of free speech and open to vexatious complaints.

In a letter the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) warned the law may be “weaponise” by an “activist fringe” across the political spectrum. The letter sent to the Criminal Justice Committee at Holyrood published this week.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross raised the letter with Humza Yousaf during First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.

Douglas Ross claimed “innocent people” would be put on the police record. This a reference to a hate incident being recorded after his colleague Murdo Fraser made a claim about gender identity on social media.

Yousaf reiterated the arguments that there are protections for free speech in the legislation. Also that he had faith in policing.

Mr Yousaf said: “Of course we take seriously what was said by the Scottish Police Federation, ASPS or any other representative organisation representing police officers.

The new law consolidates existing legislation. Also creates an offence of stirring up hatred against protected groups. This a law on the statute book for race since 1986 in Scotland.

“But I think it is incumbent on me to say that the new offences in relation to stirring up are hugely important.”