Meeting of the Parliament 02 November 2016
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests as a football referee officiating at matches for the Scottish Football Association, the Union of European Football Associations and FIFA.
Presiding Officer,
“The critical role for Government ... is to ensure that the law is fit for purpose.”—[Official Report, 14 December 2011; c 4644.]
Those are not my words; they are the words of Roseanna Cunningham, then the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, during the stage 3 proceedings on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill. I could not agree more with Ms Cunningham, which is why I am pleased to lead today’s debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives.
When the bill was passed, there was cross-party consensus among the Opposition parties that it was deeply flawed anti-sectarian legislation. The Scottish Government had failed in its duty to ensure that the law was fit for purpose. Almost five years later, that consensus remains. Let me clear from the outset that, whether in our schools, on our streets or in our football stands, sectarian behaviour should not, must not and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Sectarian violence, slogans and songs in and around Scotland’s stadiums provoke distress and division, and they offend and frighten fans who just want to enjoy our national game.