Committee
Public Petitions Committee 01 March 2016
01 Mar 2016 · S4 · Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
Continued Petitions
Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 (Review) (PE1593)
I would like clarification on at least one of the issues to which the minister responded. The submission from Fans Against Criminalisation challenges a lot of what has been said by Police Scotland and the minister, and we would be entitled to go back and ask them for clarification on certain points. After all, that is what the committee does when it considers a petition. If new issues and questions are raised in the responses of those whom we contact, the committee goes back and asks for clarification on those points. Looking at all the items that Fans Against Criminalisation has highlighted, such as the filming and treatment of fans, I think that it is clear that further points have been raised. It would be normal practice for us to continue with a petition in order to pursue such questions. It is perhaps unfair to single out one individual—and I will not name them—but I note that one of the people who signed the letter that appeared in the newspaper this morning asking for a review was one of the academics who took part in the study that is now being claimed as the basis for upholding the legislation. If even the people who participated in the consideration of the legislation believe that there must be a review, it would be remiss of us not to continue to ask that question.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Lab
PE1593, by Paul Quigley on behalf of Fans Against Criminalisation, seeks a full review of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications ...
Jackson Carlaw
Con
I am going to posit a contrary view, for the sake of discussion. I am opposed to this act and my party is committed to its abolition. However, the petition a...
The Convener
Lab
I would like clarification on at least one of the issues to which the minister responded. The submission from Fans Against Criminalisation challenges a lot o...
Hanzala Malik
Lab
It is not unreasonable for the petitioner to ask for a review. There has been a lot of misunderstanding of the legislation, and a lot of constituents have sa...
The Convener
Lab
I put it to the committee that we have debated a number of petitions this morning on which there are still outstanding questions. We have had clear answers f...
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
There is a lot of logic in what Jackson Carlaw says; equally, though, I am relaxed about the legacy paper suggestion. It seems that we have, to some extent, ...
John Wilson
Ind
I am opposed to the legislation and the way in which it is being implemented—I know that Mr MacAskill might have other views on the matter. I think that it s...
Jackson Carlaw
Con
That is not this committee’s job, though.
John Wilson
Ind
If Jackson Carlaw will let me finish, I will continue. The committee previously conducted an inquiry into child sexual exploitation. The issue could have be...
The Convener
Lab
Are members happy that we at least leave the matter in the legacy paper and let the next committee have a look at it? Members indicated agreement.
The Convener
Lab
I think that we have reached agreement, even if it is not entirely enthusiastic. We will put the recommendation into the legacy paper.