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Scottish government unveiling new sectarian bill Scottish government unveils new sectarian bill
(about 9 hours later)
The Scottish government is due to publish its proposals for legislation to tackle sectarianism, including tough new prison terms.  
The Scottish government has published its proposals for legislation to tackle sectarianism, including tough new prison terms.
A new bill would see the maximum jail term for sectarian hate crimes rise from six months to five years.A new bill would see the maximum jail term for sectarian hate crimes rise from six months to five years.
But plans to rush it through by the end of the month have prompted concern from the SNP convener of Holyrood's justice committee.But plans to rush it through by the end of the month have prompted concern from the SNP convener of Holyrood's justice committee.
Ministers want the laws in place for the start of the football season.Ministers want the laws in place for the start of the football season.
The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill, to be published later, aims to tackle disorder around football matches and clamp down on internet hate postings. The href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/bills/01-offbehfoot/index.htm" >Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill aims to tackle disorder around football matches and clamp down on internet hate postings.
It comes in the wake of several high-profile football-related incidents, while First Minister Alex Salmond has branded sectarianism a "parasite" which must be eradicated.It comes in the wake of several high-profile football-related incidents, while First Minister Alex Salmond has branded sectarianism a "parasite" which must be eradicated.
Recent problems have seen two men appear in court after suspected bombs were sent to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two other high-profile supporters of the club in March.Recent problems have seen two men appear in court after suspected bombs were sent to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two other high-profile supporters of the club in March.
'Sunset clause'
However, justice committee convener and SNP MSP Christine Grahame said the time scale for passing the bill meant it may not get the proper parliamentary scrutiny.However, justice committee convener and SNP MSP Christine Grahame said the time scale for passing the bill meant it may not get the proper parliamentary scrutiny.
She called on the Scottish government to insert a "sunset clause" into the legislation, requiring MSPs to revisit it at a later stage.She called on the Scottish government to insert a "sunset clause" into the legislation, requiring MSPs to revisit it at a later stage.
Her concerns were echoed by the committee's deputy convener, Labour MSP James Kelly, who said: "We look forward to working constructively with the Scottish government to ensure the new laws are in place as quickly as possible, but, if we rush this legislation through at breakneck speed without proper scrutiny, there is a real danger that we will get something wrong."Her concerns were echoed by the committee's deputy convener, Labour MSP James Kelly, who said: "We look forward to working constructively with the Scottish government to ensure the new laws are in place as quickly as possible, but, if we rush this legislation through at breakneck speed without proper scrutiny, there is a real danger that we will get something wrong."
The moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Right Rev David Arnott, said he was "nervous" about the plan to see the bill approved by 30 June.The moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Right Rev David Arnott, said he was "nervous" about the plan to see the bill approved by 30 June.
"Whilst we are not against the ideas in this bill, we remain unconvinced of the wisdom of this approach," he said, adding: "The speed at which it is being rushed through means it appears to lack scrutiny and clarity."Whilst we are not against the ideas in this bill, we remain unconvinced of the wisdom of this approach," he said, adding: "The speed at which it is being rushed through means it appears to lack scrutiny and clarity.
"The government is rightly asking for support from across civic Scotland, but is not giving civic Scotland much time to make sure they are happy with the content.""The government is rightly asking for support from across civic Scotland, but is not giving civic Scotland much time to make sure they are happy with the content."
It is understood the bill will focus on two new offences on football-related behaviour regarded as offensive and threatening. The bill will focus on two new offences on football-related behaviour regarded as offensive and threatening.
One is expected to look at disorder around football matches inside the ground, and could extend to those travelling to and from stadiums, as well as fans watching games elsewhere, for example, in pubs or on big screens outdoors. One looks at disorder around football matches inside the ground but also extends to those travelling to and from stadiums, as well as fans watching games elsewhere, for example, in pubs or on big screens outdoors.
Another offence would look at serious threats - including murder - made on the internet, including posts on sites like Facebook and Twitter, as well as specific websites.Another offence would look at serious threats - including murder - made on the internet, including posts on sites like Facebook and Twitter, as well as specific websites.