Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 26 January 2017
26 Jan 2017 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Hate Crime
I thank Claire Baker for her constructive comments and for her desire to be involved in the review by ensuring that her and her party’s input are part of the work that Lord Bracadale takes forward.
The 2012 act is a key piece of the jigsaw of hate crime legislation in Scotland. It is quite right and proper that, as part of the wide consideration of whether hate crime legislation is appropriate and effective in 21st century Scotland, we look at the 2012 act, too.
In the consultation that Mr Kelly undertook—I see that he is not in the chamber—the Crown Office took the view that, in some circumstances, the only way in which it could secure a conviction would be by using the provisions of the 2012 act. Stonewall Scotland and the Equality Network expressed concern that simply repealing it would send a worrying signal that such behaviour was acceptable. I hear what Claire Baker says—there are differing views—but the issue will be part of the wider review.
We all need to do much more to ensure that people feel comfortable about reporting hate crime, in whatever way it manifests itself. That is a commitment that we have made.
I undertake to look into the issue of the hate crime statistics and speak to the statisticians. I do not want to do things that might, statistically, present particular challenges, but I hear what Claire Baker says. The best way to go is for us to bring to the table any information that we can.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani)
SNP
The next item of business is a statement by Annabelle Ewing on hate crime. The minister will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be n...
The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Recent news coverage of events around the globe has starkly demonstrated that hatred and prejudice continue to have very serious consequences for people and ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you, minister. I will allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business.
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
On behalf of the Scottish Conservatives, I thank the minister for the advance sight of her statement and welcome the forthcoming review of hate crime legisla...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
I welcome the constructive comments that were made at the outset of Mr Ross’s question. It is good to hear that the Conservative Party will engage with the r...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
The announcement of the review is welcome and we will work with Lord Bracadale. There is a need to ensure that our legislation is relevant to the modern worl...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
I thank Claire Baker for her constructive comments and for her desire to be involved in the review by ensuring that her and her party’s input are part of the...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I ask members to bear in mind that the longer the questions and answers are, the less chance there is of everyone getting an opportunity to ask their question.
Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP)
SNP
The minister will be aware that the Equality and Human Rights Commission has raised concerns that the start of formally leaving the EU could cause an increas...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
You caught me by surprise there, Ms McKelvie. That was very quick for you. I call Annabelle Ewing.
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
Presiding Officer, I will not comment on your exchange with Christine McKelvie. Immediately after the referendum vote in June 2016, the First Minister said:...
Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
Last June, figures from the Crown Office showed that, in Scotland, sexual orientation and disability-related hate crime rose by an alarming 20 per cent and 1...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
In response to the member’s colleague, I explained the very important development of the disability delivery plan, under which 93 separate actions are expect...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
What is the Scottish Government doing to tackle the problem of sectarianism that exists across the country, affecting people in my constituency and many others?
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
The member raises an important point. The Scottish Government has invested some £12.5 million over the past five years to the end of this financial year in a...
Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the statement on hate crime. Can the minister provide any further details on the open public consultation? Can she give us any assurances that such...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
The member raises an important point and I will ensure that it is fed into the process. It is absolutely the case that evidence from anybody who has somethin...
Kate Forbes (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP)
SNP
One of the most significant developments in the past few decades has been online hate crime, which is utterly vile and yet is underreported, in my view, beca...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
The issue of online hate crime is quite fundamental now, because so much activity takes place online. That is the future. Therefore, an important part of Lor...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I welcome the review and in particular the commitment that it will include consideration of a consolidated hate crime act, which I have thought was worth con...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
We have set the remit for the review, which has been placed in SPICe. Lord Bracadale will carry out the review and he will determine where his review takes h...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I thank the minister for early sight of her statement and I welcome the review as part of our on-going efforts to bear down on hate crime in all its forms. T...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
I welcome Liam McArthur’s constructive approach to the review, and it is good to hear that he will be happy to work with it. I am not aware that the Lord Adv...
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
Does the minister agree that more should be done to prevent homophobic bullying at school, in light of the shocking statistics that 90 per cent of lesbian, g...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
Obviously, every child should feel safe and respected at school, and each one of us has a duty to ensure that that happens. On the TIE campaign specifically...
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
It is fitting that we are discussing hate crime today given that, just an hour ago, I sat in the chamber and listened to members describe some of the horrors...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
The first task of the review with which Lord Bracadale will proceed, which was announced today, is to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the substantiv...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the minister’s statement. Does she recognise that tackling hate crime is about not simply framing the right laws but resourcing services to impleme...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
At the end of the process, the Government will carefully consider any recommendations that are made by Lord Bracadale. I imagine that Lord Bracadale will wis...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
One of the strengths of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 is that, fairly obviously, it deals with offen...