The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act comes into force on April 1.
Scotland’s First Minister has been accused of “ignoring” warnings over the impact of a new hate crime law.
In a letter to the Criminal Justice Committee at Holyrood published this week, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents warned the law could be “weaponised” by an “activist fringe” across the political spectrum. “Those stirring up offences for racial hatred have existed since 1986, we are simply extending those protections to other groups.”
“They are giving as stark a warning as possible to this SNP Government that the Bill is flawed, it’s not going to do what MSPs supporting it wanted it to do, and those warnings are being ignored by Humza Yousaf.”Mr Ross went on to quote the views of those – including senior SNP MP Joanna Cherry KC – who believe the criminal investigation into complaints may be a punishment in itself for those targeted by police.
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