Four groups keeping quiet on the SNP’s Hate Crime Act

It’s three days since Scotland’s Hate Crime Act took effect and there is no sign of public outrage dissipating anytime soon. Within the first 24 hours of Humza Yousaf’s hate bill becoming law, over 3,000 complaints were submitted — with the First Minister on the receiving end of more complaints than JK Rowling. Mr S isn’t quite sure how much genuine hate crime has been reported but if there’s one thing the Act has done successfully, it’s stirring up a rather significant amount of hate for itself. 

North of the border, the legislation is tearing the country apart. Murdo Fraser, the Scottish Tory MSP, continues to demand answers as to why he has a non-crime hate incident on his record but the First Minister — who has also had hate crime reports made against him — doesn’t. Meanwhile, the pro-independence party Alba has demanded that the Hate Crime Act be repealed, creating a tough job for its spinners who have, over the weekend, tried to convince the public that the party’s only MSP, Ash Regan, is now firmly opposed to the new law — despite being its formal supporter on the official record and voting in favour of it at the time.