Vote to be tabled in bid to repeal controversial hate crime laws

A bid to repeal Scotland’s new hate crime law is to be launched this week by the Scottish Conservatives.

The party is using its business slot at Holyrood on Wednesday to table a vote on whether the legislation should be scrapped.

The Act came into force on April 1, with more than 7,000 complaints being made in the first week, and concerns have been raised over its impact on freedom of expression.

Tory justice spokesperson Russell Findlay previously claimed the Hate Crime Act is the “biggest ever burden placed on Scotland’s police force”.

The SNP and Scottish Green majority at Holyrood means the motion to repeal the law will almost certainly fall, but the Conservatives are appealing for fellow opposition parties and “more sensible nationalists” to back their position.

Labour and the Lib Dems supported the Bill when it was passed in 2021.

Speaking about the motion, Findlay said: “Humza Yousaf’s disastrous hate crime law has caused utter chaos in the fortnight since its introduction.

“It is proving every bit as unworkable as many critics warned – and must be repealed.

“As well as being an unacceptable risk to free speech, it is taking a huge toll on Scotland’s police officers. They’re being deluged with thousands of complaints – many of them vexatious from individuals out to settle scores.

“Officer numbers are at their lowest level since 2008, and the police were already turning a blind eye to certain crimes, so this increased workload is completely unsustainable.

“The Scottish Conservatives were the only party to oppose the SNP legislation when it went through parliament.

“We now appeal to Labour and Lib Dem MSPs – and the more sensible Nationalists – to admit they made a huge mistake and back our call for its repeal.”

The Tory motion, which will be debated on Wednesday, reads: “That the Scottish Parliament believes that the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 should be repealed.”

The new law creates an offence of stirring up hatred against protected characteristics, including age, sexual orientation and transgender identity.

An offence on the basis of race has been on the statute book in Scotland since 1986.