Hate crime law which could see people criminalised for things said in their own homes is on the verge of coming a step closer in Scotland, with hopes expressed by the Law Commission that England and Wales will follow suit.
MSPs will vote on whether or not to proceed with the controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill in December. The proposed legislation has united churches, secular groups, comedians and the police in opposition to all or parts of it.
Scottish Christians have been among those voicing strong opposition to the Holyrood Bill. In late October the Free Church of Scotland declared that it would ‘have a chilling effect on free speech … It is too easy for someone to fall foul of the legislation simply by disagreeing with someone else’s opinion.’
