A Chilling Affront to Scots Law

A Chilling Affront to Scots Law

The deadline for public submissions on the Scottish government’s new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill is on Friday. The SNP, who introduced the bill, have tried to use the distraction of the coronavirus lockdown to limit its public scrutiny. Fortunately, however, people are starting to understand the implications.

The bill represents an unprecedented attack on freedom of expression through the creation of new crimes and a litany of protected interest groups. This has drawn most of the criticism so far. However, the …

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How to fail at writing laws, a guide by the SNP

How to fail at writing laws, a guide by the SNP

New legislation to deal with hate crime – including “stirring up” hatred – has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. Scotland’s Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf described the new bill as “an important milestone” in protecting victims. He said: “By creating robust laws for the justice system, Parliament will send a strong message to victims, perpetrators, communities and to wider society that offences motivated by prejudice will be treated seriously and will not be tolerated. Stirring up of hatred can contribute to a social atmosphere in …

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