Thousands of Scots ‘back bid to scrap SNP’s controversial anti-bigotry laws’

PA

The vast majority of Scots want the SNP’s controversial anti-bigotry laws scrapped

More than 70 per cent of people backed repealing legislation covering offensive behaviour at football matches, while more than 60 per cent want laws governing threatening communications axed. 

They were responding to a consultation on a proposed Bill by Labour MSP James Kelly to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act. 

He argues the 2012 law has damaged trust between police and football fans, while doing nothing to tackle sectarianism. 

The act, which outlaws sectarian songs and chants on the terraces, has repeatedly been criticised for being badly drafted. 

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Critics also believe the police could already use existing breach of the peace laws to tackle sectarianism, and the new act was not needed. 

The results come ahead of a Tory debate on the issue at Holyrood on Wednesday, with opposition parties expected to unite to inflict a rare defeat on the minority SNP administration. 

Unveiling the consultation results, which were based on 3,248 responses, Mr Kelly said: “The people have had their say, it’s time to scrap the SNP Football Act. 

“The SNP were arrogant to bulldoze this piece of legislation through Holyrood in the first place. Every other party opposed it. 

GETTY

The act brought in sentences of up to five years for sectarian behaviour in or around stadiums

“Academics, lawyers, football clubs and football fans opposed it, yet the SNP wouldn’t listen and used their then majority in the Scottish Parliament to railroad the Football Act through. 

It’s a dogs’ dinner of a law which creates as many problems as it solves

Scots Conservative leader Ruth Davidson

“Having lost that majority, and faced with clear public support for repeal through the consultation process it would be incredibly arrogant if the SNP do not now think again.” 

The act brought in sentences of up to five years for sectarian behaviour in or around stadiums, on trains or buses going to grounds, in bars showing live matches and for internet threats. 

Labour’s consultation found 71.1 per cent fully supported repealing the part of the legislation dealing with offensive behaviour at football, with 24.5 per cent fully opposed. 

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The remainder of the respondents were either unsure of only “partially” supportive or opposed. 

It also found that 62.1 per cent fully backed the repeal of the section dealing with threatening communications compared to 21.2 who were opposed. 

Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has urged opposition parties to back demands for repeal branding it as a “dogs’ dinner of a law which creates as many problems as it solves”. 

While Wednesday’s vote is not binding, it would heap pressure on the SNP. 

PA

Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has urged opposition parties to back demands for repeal

Mr Kelly said he was confident of gaining the required support of 18 MSPs and three parties to formally bring forward his proposals to kill off the act. 

The Scottish Government said the country continues to have a problem with abusive behaviour at football games. 

A spokeswoman added: “A hardcore minority is souring the atmosphere for the majority of football supporters and critics of the Act seem to think our only option is just to accept this contempt for fans and players. 

“Not one viable alternative to dealing with the unacceptable scenes of violence and abuse we continue to see at matches has been put forward in the entire debate around this law.”