Opposition parties unite to condemn anti-sectarianism legislation

ALL four opposition parties have issued a joint call for the Scottish Government to ditch controversial new laws to crack down on sectarianism in football.

The SNP legislation will come under fire once again today as the proposed laws are debated in Holyrood, with the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and Greens all backing a Labour amendment that says the government has failed to make the case for the new offences.

The amendment to a government motion noting the Scottish Parliament justice committee’s recent report on the legislation, states that the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill “lacks clarity, would lead to confusion, be difficult to enforce if implemented and cannot be supported”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Greater consideration should be given to using existing laws, working with football authorities and “promoting positive interventions in communities and the education system”.

The bill, which passed to its second stage after receiving narrow backing from the justice committee, will create two offences relating to behaviour deemed to “incite religious, racial or other forms of hatred” in and around football grounds and on the internet. Those convicted could spend as long as five years in prison and be banned from football grounds.

Following criticism, the SNP administration has agreed to allow amendments to the legislation, designed to clarify the offences.

Labour MSP James Kelly said: “Scottish Labour wants to support tough new measures to tackle sectarianism but we refuse to back bad legislation for the sake of it.”

The Lib Dems’ Alison McInnes added: “It has been plain from the outset that this bill is ill-thought-out, rushed and will do little to address the underlying problems associated with sectarian behaviour.”

Conservative justice spokesman John Lamont described the bill as “slapdash”, While Green co-leader called for a rethink.

The SNP majority means the legislation can be passed without opposition support.