JOINT STATEMENT AS SNP ‘RAILROAD’ THROUGH SECTARIANISM BILL

All four opposition parties and independent MSP Margo MacDonald have this evening released a joint statement following the passage of the SNP government's controversial Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill.

The joint statement was supported by Scottish Labour, the Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, the Scottish Greens and Margo MacDonald.

The joint statement reads:

"Members of all political parties are absolutely determined to wipe the blight of sectarianism from Scottish society.

"It is of real regret that the first piece of legislation passed by this new Parliament has been railroaded through by the SNP. The SNP has used its majority to force through bad law that risks doing more harm than good. It sets a worrying precedent for this Parliament.

"The SNP has failed to make the case for the legislation both in Parliament and out – with football fans, religious organisations, anti-sectarianism organisations, children’s charities, the Law Society, the Human Rights Commission, the Scottish Justices Association all raising genuine concerns with the SNP legislation.

"We believe a far more effective response is to focus on education and young people, work with the churches and football authorities on positive, practical, evidence-based measures to tackle the root causes of sectarianism, as well robust application of existing laws."