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Labour MSP bids to scrap 'hated' football act | Labour MSP bids to scrap 'hated' football act |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An attempt to ditch controversial legislation aimed at tackling sectarianism is being launched. | An attempt to ditch controversial legislation aimed at tackling sectarianism is being launched. |
Labour's James Kelly will begin work on a Member's Bill to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act. | Labour's James Kelly will begin work on a Member's Bill to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act. |
The Glasgow MSP said it was time axe the "hated" law now that the SNP no longer had a majority at Holyrood. | The Glasgow MSP said it was time axe the "hated" law now that the SNP no longer had a majority at Holyrood. |
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was a "strange priority" for opposition parties but she would discuss concerns. | First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was a "strange priority" for opposition parties but she would discuss concerns. |
'Legitimate concerns' | 'Legitimate concerns' |
She said: "I think it's a strange priority for opposition parties to almost have as their first objective to get rid of legislation which is about tackling sectarianism. | She said: "I think it's a strange priority for opposition parties to almost have as their first objective to get rid of legislation which is about tackling sectarianism. |
"That's not something which I think should be the priority of the opposition parties. | "That's not something which I think should be the priority of the opposition parties. |
"But of course we are happy to discuss how legitimate concerns can be addressed, and that constructive approach is one that I will seek to take on any issue." | "But of course we are happy to discuss how legitimate concerns can be addressed, and that constructive approach is one that I will seek to take on any issue." |
Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens all pledged to repeal the Act in their manifestos for the recent election. | Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens all pledged to repeal the Act in their manifestos for the recent election. |
With the SNP returned to government as a minority administration, there is now a majority in the chamber which would back repeal. | |
Glasgow MSP Mr Kelly will meet with officials at the Scottish Parliament later to begin the process of drafting his Members Bill. | Glasgow MSP Mr Kelly will meet with officials at the Scottish Parliament later to begin the process of drafting his Members Bill. |
'Symbol of arrogance' | 'Symbol of arrogance' |
He said: "Today I'll take the first steps to repeal the SNP's hated Football Act. The law has become a symbol of the SNP's arrogance in government and it is time for it to go. | He said: "Today I'll take the first steps to repeal the SNP's hated Football Act. The law has become a symbol of the SNP's arrogance in government and it is time for it to go. |
"The Football Act was bulldozed through parliament by the SNP with not a single other party voting for it and everyone from football fans to academics and lawyers opposing it. | "The Football Act was bulldozed through parliament by the SNP with not a single other party voting for it and everyone from football fans to academics and lawyers opposing it. |
"The SNP still won't admit they got it wrong on the Football Act, but they have lost their majority in parliament and I will work constructively with the other parties to abolish the Football Act." | "The SNP still won't admit they got it wrong on the Football Act, but they have lost their majority in parliament and I will work constructively with the other parties to abolish the Football Act." |
The Act was introduced in 2012 in an attempt to crack down on sectarianism and other football-related offences. | The Act was introduced in 2012 in an attempt to crack down on sectarianism and other football-related offences. |
Critics have argued there was already sufficient legislation in place to deal with disorder at football matches. They have also claimed the new law has unfairly targeted law-abiding football supporters. | Critics have argued there was already sufficient legislation in place to deal with disorder at football matches. They have also claimed the new law has unfairly targeted law-abiding football supporters. |
The Fans Against Criminalisation campaign group also claimed the legislation has eroded trust between supporters and police and has failed to tackle bigotry. | The Fans Against Criminalisation campaign group also claimed the legislation has eroded trust between supporters and police and has failed to tackle bigotry. |
A report published earlier this year revealed there were only 79 convictions in 2014/15 under the legislation, with opposition parties stating the figures demonstrated the law was unnecessary. | A report published earlier this year revealed there were only 79 convictions in 2014/15 under the legislation, with opposition parties stating the figures demonstrated the law was unnecessary. |