Ahead of the May 6 election, it’s important that the issue of free speech, and the Hate Crime Act in particular, is kept on the […]
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SNP veteran Jim Sillars leads criticism of “badly flawed” hate crime legislation following Holyrood vote
Jim Sillars, former Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party, has expressed profound disappointment that controversial hate crime proposals brought forward by the Scottish Government […]
Statement on Hate Crime Bill vote: Free to Disagree campaign
Tonight, Holyrood backed the Hate Crime Bill by a margin of 82 votes to 32. It’s a profoundly disappointing result. Amendments by MSPs on the […]
Beware the chilling effect of the Hate Crime Bill – Stephen Evans
Stephen Evans, Chief Executive, National Secular Society Scotland’s Hate Crime bill is back before MSPs today for a final vote. Wednesday’s stage three proceedings will […]
Why MSPs should oppose the stirring up proposals today
Jamie Gillies, Free to Disagree spokesman Later today MSPs will debate the Hate Crime Bill for the last time. It’s fair to say this legislation […]
Disparate groups unite against illiberal SNP hate crime plans
Disparate groups have urged MSPs not to endorse controversial Scottish Government hate crime proposals at a final vote on the plans later today. This afternoon, […]
Press Release: 8 in 10 people support stronger free speech protections in Hate Crime Bill
More than 8 in 10 respondents to a Holyrood consultation want stronger free speech protections in the controversial Hate Crime Bill and just 1 in […]
Eleventh hour wrangling over Hate Crime Bill a cause for alarm, campaigners say
PRESS RELEASE Campaigners have criticised a last-ditch attempt to fix free speech provisions in the Hate Crime Bill, days before a final vote on the […]
Free to Disagree response: Consultation on freedom of expression provisions
Dear Committee members, Thank you for the time you have spent scrutinising the Hate Crime and Public Order Bill over the last ten months. It […]
Yousaf’s refusal to answer ‘sex’ question should alarm us all
Jamie Gillies, Free to Disagree spokesman During a meeting of Holyrood’s Justice Committee yesterday, Cabinet Secretary Humza Yousaf faced an interesting line of questioning from […]
Campaigners urge halt as hate bill clears second hurdle
Free speech campaigners have urged MSPs to delay scrutiny of controversial hate crime proposals as the Government’s contentious Hate Crime Bill passes its second hurdle. […]
Time to pause hate crime plans
Jamie Gillies, Free to Disagree spokesman One year after the government published its contentious Hate Crime Bill, the clamour over these plans shows little sign […]
