Smith supports tougher laws to tackle hate crimes

8/10/07

Edinburgh West MSP Margaret Smith has pledged her support for a Private Member’s Bill launched in the Scottish Parliament which would make attacking someone because of either their sexual orientation or their disability an aggravating factor.

Commenting, Mrs Smith said:

“I welcome this move to legislate to extend the statutory aggravation for racist and religious hate crimes to cover homophobic and disability related hate crimes. I have previously tabled Parliamentary Questions about this serious issue and received assurances from the Justice Secretary that the Scottish Government would press ahead with legislation.

“I am both surprised and disappointed that the Scottish Government is not, itself, taking forward this legislation.”