MacAskill targets alcohol and sectarianism

KENNY MacAskill has promised Scotland's most senior police officers he will crack down on the problems of alcohol and sectarianism which fuel so much crime.

The justice secretary told the Acpos conference that the Scottish Government would introduce minimum pricing legislation as soon as possible.

"There's a clear link between consuming (alcohol] and harm," he said. "Affordability is one of the drivers of increased consumption.

"We do believe we've received a mandate to deal with the question of minimum pricing and you will see legislation on that."

He added: "But it will not simply be about legislation, it will also be about cultural change."

The Scottish Government has set up a working group to tackle sectarianism after a football season blighted by religious hatred, which has seen explosives, bullets and a knife sent to prominent figures in the game.

However, Mr MacAskill said those incidents did not reflect a growth in sectarianism in society generally.

He praised the work of police with two people already having appeared in court charged in relation to explosives allegedly sent through the post to Celtic manager Neil Lennon, his lawyer Paul McBride QC, and former MSP Trish Godman.