Timetable announced for Hate Crime Bill scrutiny MSPs to examine ‘contentious’ legislation

The Scottish Parliament has announced the timetable for parliamentary scrutiny of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill by Holyrood’s Justice Committee. 

This announcement comes as the first of almost 2,000 written submissions made to the committee are published, and after Nicola Sturgeon committed to listen to concerns in her Programme for Government Statement.

The committee intends to start hearing oral evidence about the Bill from witnesses in late October, with a view to completing its Stage 1 report by 18 December 2020 – the deadline set by the Parliamentary Bureau.  

The new Committee Convener, Professor Adam Tomkins MSP, said that it was vital that sufficient time was allowed for scrutiny.  

Professor Tomkins said: “The number of submissions we have received is unprecedented and reflects that this Bill is contentious. Hundreds of individuals and organisations have written to us setting out their views on the offences that this Bill would both create and abolish.

“Given the importance of this legislation – and the strength of feeling it is generating – it is vital that sufficient time is allowed for scrutiny.

“Our committee has already agreed that it will revisit the deadline of 18 December should it become necessary.”

Scrutiny of the Hate Crime Bill will begin once the committee has concluded its consideration of the Defamation and Malicious Publications (Scotland) Bill, scrutiny of which continued this week.