ALBA Party launch petition calling for repeal of Hate Crime Act

“The chilling effect has begun, and the original vision of the bill is lost. I must now side with those who call for repeal.” Ash Regan - ALBA Party Holyrood leader

ALBA Party have today called for new Hate Crime Laws to be repealed.

The Party’s Holyrood leader Ash Regan MSP says that the “chilling effects” of the legislation are already apparent.

ALBA say the new law is a threat to freedom of expression and will be used to target individuals who hold gender-critical views.

They have now launched a petition calling for the new Hate Crime Act to be repealed.

Speaking today in The Times Regan said that the Government had “either displayed incompetence in the legislative process” or “party leadership had deliberately misled” to enable the bill to pass through parliament seamlessly.”

Regan added:

“During discussions on the bill with the First Minister [then justice secretary], I raised two core concerns: protection of vocal disagreement without fear of recrimination, and misogyny.

“Colleagues assured me that the bill would have clarity of intent built into the accompanying guidance, setting the bar for investigation and prosecution clearly above legally protected freedom of expression.

“I was asked for my view on whether we should include sex as a characteristic, to protect women from misogyny, and I said yes. I was told that in feedback from women’s rights organisations, they sought a separate offence in misogyny legislation that could assist in dealing with the specific considerations in domestic abuse law.

“The chilling effect has begun, and the original vision of the bill is lost. I must now side with those who call for repeal.”

ALBA Party’s petition calling for repeal for the Hate Crime Act can be signed here