Ally McCoist faced criticism from an SNP MP following his strong stance against the newly implemented hate crime legislation, which he described as “madness.” The former Rangers star expressed concerns that the upcoming Old Firm match at Ibrox could inadvertently cause fans to breach the law under the new regulations.
In response to McCoist’s comments, Nationalist MP Steven Bonnar criticized the football pundit, deeming his remarks as “completely offside.” Bonnar questioned McCoist on which protected group he might be targeting during the upcoming match, highlighting the need for attention to be on the game itself, rather than distractions related to the law.
Expressing skepticism towards the effectiveness of the new law, McCoist pointed to comments from the head of the Scottish Police Federation, suggesting that enforcing the legislation would be challenging. He reiterated widespread concerns, stating that the idea of the law has been met with disapproval by many, including rank-and-file police officers.
The Hate Crime Act introduced offenses for stirring up hatred against protected characteristics such as religion and disability, but critics have raised objections over the exclusion of women as a protected group. The Scottish Government has pledged to address this through separate legislation aimed at tackling misogyny.
Despite the criticisms, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf expressed pride in the new laws, emphasizing their role in combating a growing wave of hatred. He assured confidence in Police Scotland’s ability to enforce the legislation effectively, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting marginalized groups through the new legal framework.
David Kennedy, the leader of the Scottish Police Federation, cautioned yesterday that the enforcement of the hate crime law could potentially lead to “chaos” in the trust placed in the police.
When asked if the new law might provoke backlash from both sides in contentious debates, he told the BBC: “That would disrupt the trust in the police in Scotland, it will definitely diminish it.”
This concern arises as the police force disclosed that over a third of its officers have yet to finish an online training program on the new laws. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs mentioned that out of the force’s 16,000-plus officers, 10,000 have completed the training.
In response, Yousaf pointed out that Chief Constable Jo Farrell has assured that appropriate training is indeed being provided. She emphasized that the implementation of the new laws will be done “in a careful manner,” ensuring close monitoring of enforcement and received reports.