Hate-speech law to face critical vote

NEW laws cracking down on sectarian hate speech to be enacted today will not criminalise jokes about peoples’ beliefs, nor outlaw “harsh” comment about their religious faith, officials said last night.

As MSPs gather today to pass the new legislation, the Scottish Government took the unusual step last night of stating what the new offences will not cover.

It follows a backlash from opposition parties, who reject the reform proposals. They have warned that the new laws could restrict free speech.

The new offences will not “stop peaceful preaching or proselytising,” the statement declared. Not will they restrict “freedom of speech, including the right to criticise or comment on religion or non-religious beliefs, even in harsh terms.” People will not be prosecuted for “jokes and satire about religion or non-religious belief”, it added.

The two-headed bill was introduced by Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland earlier this year after Celtic manager Neil Lennon and three prominent Scots received death threats, and following disruption at Old Firm games.