The BBC has added its voice to criticism of SNP hate crime proposals, agreeing that they represent a serious threat to free speech. Commenting on […]
Archives: Press Releases
MSPs must reject ‘illiberal’ hate crime proposals after ‘highly significant’ public response
MSPs are being urged to reject controversial hate crime proposals after a ‘highly significant’ public reaction to the plans. Today, Holyrood’s Justice Committee announced that […]
As SNP doubles down on hate crime plans, campaigners call for ‘early action’ to remove controversial provisions
Free speech campaigners have welcomed an “assurance” by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that concerns over the Hate Crime Bill will be listened to “carefully” but […]
SPF: ‘Government has grossly underestimated Hate Crime Bill policing costs’
Ministers have vastly underestimated the policing costs associated with the Hate Crime Bill, a union representing front line officers has warned. The Scottish Police Federation […]
Lib Dems join Labour and Tory opposition to ‘stirring up’ offences
The Scottish Liberal Democrat party has issued a strong warning over the Hate Crime Bill saying Ministers must “fix the bill or count us out”. […]
Government must make good on pledge to ‘respond’ to Hate Crime Bill concerns
Campaigners have welcomed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s commitment to “respond” to concerns over the Hate Crime Bill and called on the Government to “take action […]
Government media statements on Hate Crime Bill ‘inaccurate’
Holyrood hate crime proposals are “completely out-of-step” with existing UK legislation on the ‘stirring up of hatred’ and Scottish Government officials are wrong to claim […]
New poll finds wide support for free speech, opposition to hate crime plans
New polling for the Free to Disagree campaign finds wide support for free speech and opposition to the Scottish Government’s hate crime plans. The Savanta […]
Yousaf can’t ‘magic away’ J.K. Rowling hate crime concerns
Free speech campaigners have criticised Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf for insisting that Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling would not be caught by the Scottish Government’s […]
Peter Tatchell joins fight against the Hate Crime bill
Veteran human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has joined the Free to Disagree campaign as an official ally. The Peter Tatchell Foundation, a human rights group headed by Mr Tatchell, […]
SNP hate crime plans could hit rest of the UK, warns Free to Disagree campaign
Scottish Government legislation on hate crime could catch people in other parts of the United Kingdom, campaigners warn. Free to Disagree, a broad campaign including […]
Press release: 29/07/20
‘Catalogue of concerns’ shows Govt must act on hate crime proposals Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf must take action on the controversial Hate Crime bill after […]