Care must be taken with anti-sectarian legislation

In his speech to the SNP annual conference in Inverness, Kenny MacAskill has defended the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Bill.

Scottish Conservative Justice Spokesman, John Lamont MSP said:

"No one doubts that the evils of sectarianism need to be eliminated, but there are huge doubts over the legislation that Kenny MacAskill so vigorously defends. Concerns still remain about the potential unintended negative consequences.

"The evidence presented to the Justice Committee did not support the need for new legislation. We want to see more effective use of non-legislative measures and the better enforcement of existing law before rushing through a new bill.

"When forming any new law regarding such an important issue we must take as much care as possible to ensure that it is precise and thorough – two aspects which this bill falls short on."

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