Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 15 January 2026
15 Jan 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
General Question Time
Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (Addition of Sex Characteristic)
The minister says that the SSI will be laid “in due course”, but we do not know when that will be. Only this Tuesday, at the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, the Minister for Equalities informed us that she had not met the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs to discuss the nine protected characteristics—sex being one, as now defined and clarified by the Supreme Court judgment. That was absolutely alarming
You have still not included sex in the hate crime legislation and have still not told us when the SSI will be laid. Also, why have you not met the Minister for Equalities?
In the same item of business
1. Michelle Thomson (Falkirk East) (SNP)
SNP
To ask the Scottish Government what the current status is of its plans to add sex to the characteristics covered by the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland...
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (Angela Constance)
SNP
The Scottish Government is currently considering responses to the public consultation that we undertook last year on the draft Scottish statutory instrument ...
Michelle Thomson
SNP
I was listening very intently for something substantive in the cabinet secretary’s response. What I really want is a personal commitment from her that the SS...
Angela Constance
SNP
I very much appreciate Mrs Thomson’s interest in the matter. I assure her, both personally and politically, that the Scottish Government wants to ensure that...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
The minister says that the SSI will be laid “in due course”, but we do not know when that will be. Only this Tuesday, at the Equalities, Human Rights and Civ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Always speak through the chair.
Angela Constance
SNP
In summary, I will repeat the essence of what I said to Michelle Thomson: I will lay an SSI well in advance of the end of this parliamentary session, because...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I remind members that, as this is our shortest question session of the week, concise questions and responses are appreciated.