Why Scotland’s new hate crime law is so controversial
The Scottish Government’s controversial new hate crime law came into effect on Monday.
The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act has been introduced to work alongside existing hate crime laws and has introduced a new offence- “threatening or abusive behaviour which is intended to stir up hatred”.
The Act has been a running sore for the SNP-led Government in recent years, with a number of changes having to be made before it was passed and the three-year gap before it came into effect.
have hit out at the new law saying it would be detrimental to free speech however ’s First Minister has insisted the law will empower victims of hatred whilst maintaining public
