Scotland’s controversial new hate crime laws come into force
Scotland’s controversial new hate crime laws have come into force.
The new measures aim to tackle the harm caused by hatred and prejudice but have come under fire from opponents who claim they could stifle free speech and be weaponised to “settle scores”.
The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into force on Monday 1 April and aims to provide greater protection for victims and communities.
It consolidates existing legislation and introduces new offences for threatening or abusive behaviour which is intended to stir up hatred based on prejudice towards characteristics such as age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity.
The new provisions add to the laws on the statute book for race, which have been in place UK-wide since 1986.
The ‘Hate Monster’ being used to advertise the new act. Pic: Police Scotland
‘Hatred has been far too pervasive in our society’
Speaking to Sky News about the new legislation, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “In terms of acts of hatred, I think anybody would recognise in the last few years… hatred has been far too pervasive in our society.
“We have to take strong action against it. We have to have a zero-tolerance approach to it.
“I’ve got every confidence in police investigating matters of hatred appropriately, and of course making sure that we protect freedom of expression so vital to our democracy.”
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Sky’s Connor Gillies explains the new laws
The new laws were developed following Lord Bracadale’s independent review of hate crime legislation which concluded that new specific offences relating to stirring up hatred were needed.
The legislation was passed by a majority of MSPs in the Scottish parliament in 2021.
JK Rowling and Elon Musk have publicly criticised the act, suggesting it erodes free speech.
Those who support the new laws insist they will make Scotland more tolerant.
In a letter to Holyrood’s criminal justice committee published last week, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) warned the law could be “weaponised” by an “activist fringe” across the political spectrum.
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‘They are seeing this as an opportunity to settle scores’
Speaking to Sky News, the director of campaign group For Women Scotland branded the act a “mess” and said “there will be a lot of malicious reports”.
Susan Smith said: “Much of this is very vague as stirring up offences seems to be based on someone’s perception that someone is being hateful towards them, and they can make a complaint and the police are saying they will investigate everything.
“We know that there are people out there who have lists of people they are looking to target. They are seeing this as an opportunity to settle scores and make political points.”
Susan Smith, director of campaign group For Women Scotland. Pic: Sky
Police Scotland has committed to investigating every single hate complaint it receives.
At First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Mr Yousaf said he had “absolute faith” in the force’s ability to weed out vexatious complaints.
Mr Yousaf has repeatedly said there is “disinformation” being spread about the bill and what it entails, claiming there is a “triple lock” of protection for speech.
The three safeguarding measures in the “lock” are an explicit clause on free speech, a defence for the accused’s behaviour being “reasonable” and the fact that the act is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Humza Yousaf during First Minister’s Questions on Thursday. Pic: PA
‘It’s April Fools’ Day but it really is no joke’
The Scottish Conservatives have called for the act to be scrapped and the resources diverted towards frontline policing instead.
Russell Findlay MSP, shadow justice secretary for the Scottish Tories, said: “Humza Yousaf’s hate crime act comes into force on April Fools’ Day but it is really no joke for the people of Scotland.”
Russell Findlay MSP. Pic: Scottish Parliament TV
Mr Findlay said it was “farcical that many officers have not yet been trained” and claimed the Scottish parliament’s criminal justice committee has not been given sight of the force’s training material despite requesting it.
He added: “Officers would rather tackle real crimes and keep communities safe, rather than having to investigate malicious and spurious complaints.”
‘Nobody in our society should live in fear’
Siobhian Brown, minister for victims and community safety, said: “Nobody in our society should live in fear and we are committed to building safer communities that live free from hatred and prejudice.
“We know that the impact on those on the receiving end of physical, verbal or online attacks can be traumatic and life-changing. This legislation is an essential element of our wider approach to tackling that harm.
“Protections for freedom of expression are built into the legislation passed by parliament and these new offences have a higher threshold for criminality than the long-standing offence of stirring up racial hatred, which has been in place since 1986.”
Thunderstorm warnings have been issued for large parts of the country, lasting from lunchtime until Monday night.
The Met Office says thunder and heavy downpours could cause flooding and travel problems.
Southeast England – including Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and south London – could be affected from noon, says the forecaster.
Other areas affected are mid-Wales and most of northern England, stretching up past Glasgow into southwest Scotland.
That warning is in force from 1pm – with both alerts ending at 9pm.
Pic: Met Office
Pic: Met Office
“Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures,” says the Met Office, while there is also a small chance that roads and properties could be flooded.
Bank Holiday Monday has brought a grey and cloudy start for many, with forecasts ranging from 12C (53F) in the Hebrides to 18C (64F) in northern England at 1pm.
Get the latest Sky News forecast for where you live
However, it will become warmer, brighter and drier from Tuesday with high pressure forecast for much of the UK – and it should stay that way for next weekend.
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London is expected to have 23C (73F) with sunny spells next Saturday and Sunday, according to the Met Office.
Highs of 20C (68F) are forecast in Edinburgh, while Cardiff is set for sunshine and 19C (66F), and Belfast likely to struggle with cloud but still feeling warm with a maximum of 20C.
West Ham have agreed a deal in principle with Julen Lopetegui to take over from David Moyes as manager at the end of the season, Sky Sports News understands.
Lopetegui, 57, has been out of work since leaving Wolves three days before the start of the season but has stayed in England in the hope of landing another job in the Premier League.
The Spaniard, who has also managed Porto, Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla during an illustrious coaching career, looks set to take charge at the London Stadium at the end of the season after Moyes’ expected departure.
Julen Lopetegui. File pic: PA
West Ham are ninth in the league after Sunday’s 5-0 defeat at Chelsea.
Moyes, 61, who is out of contract in the summer, has faced increased questions about his future as his team have won only one of their previous nine league games.
He said he felt “really sorry” for West Ham fans after watching his side fall to a heavy loss at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “The fans have been great but I feel bad for them.
“I don’t normally have teams who get beaten like this but we are lacking some ingredients – mental toughness and leadership to get better results, or at least not get hammered.
West Ham United manager David Moyes during the Premier League defeat at Chelsea. Pic PA
“The fans played their part and I can only say I’m really sorry for how it played out.”
Asked if he was frustrated that the club was regularly being linked with other managers, he said: “I’ll talk to the board at the end of the season. We’ll do that then.”
The Scot, whose second spell as Hammers boss began in 2019, led the club to their Premier League points total of 65 in 2021, finishing in sixth place.
The following year they finished seventh and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League.
They went one better last year, winning the Europa Conference League final, the club’s first European trophy since 1965.
In November, Lopetegui told Sky Sports News he had unfinished business in the Premier League.
He said: “It’s why I’ve said no to different countries and different situations because I would like to stay here in England. I feel like our team here is just starting and we want to achieve our dreams.
“The way the country lives football here is special – it’s the best league in the world, the most competitive league in the world, the best environment for the players, coaches and fans too.”
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