Frankie 8,145 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-labour-pledge-scrap-snps-3262872 DEPUTY Labour leader Anas Sarwar told the Record the party will repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football act as part of a radical shake-up in the way hatred at matches is tackled. THE SNP’s hated football bigotry laws will be scrapped if Scottish Labour win the next election, we can reveal today. The party’s deputy leader Anas Sarwar has told the Record they will repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act as part of a radical shake-up in the way hatred in the terraces is tackled. The Labour announcement will increase pressure on Scottish ministers as it comes just two weeks after Celtic demanded an urgent review of the 2012 Act, which the club described as “unhelpful and counter-productive”. Significantly, the party’s move to scrap the legislation would not be opposed by Scotland’s leading anti-sectarian charity, Nil by Mouth. The SNP’s laws are meant to target sectarian abuse inside stadiums, on the internet and among supporters travelling to and from matches. But Glasgow Central MP Sarwar said yesterday: “The Offensive Behaviour at Football Act is not fit for purpose. “It has proved to be ineffective and unpopular, not least because sectarianism runs far beyond our touchlines and terraces.” He said if they win power at Holyrood in 2016, Labour would tackle sectarianism with “renewed focus” by “ensuring that the police get the support they need, and the well-meaning majority of football fans are respected”. He said the party would focus on “education and prevention, not politics”. Last night, Nil by Mouth campaign director Dave Scott said: “This law has been highly controversial, with courts, police, clubs and fans themselves seeming unconvinced of its effectiveness. We should remember that there are alternatives to legislation.” Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham has ruled out any review of the Act until a study by Stirling University researchers on its effectiveness is completed by August next year. Not a surprise... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,409 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I started a thread i the football chat with this!, I suppose it's better in here 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,409 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Ruth Davidson MSP @RuthDavidsonMSP 2m Perhaps they shouldn't have voted to pass such an obviously flawed bill in the first place, @AnasSarwar? Hide conversation 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy steel 0 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I will never understand how anyone can vote Labour. I don't mean Bluenoses, I just mean anyone. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,231 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 IMHO, party politics. Carrying a clear message for those who "hate" that bill most, as it seems to hit them too - shock horror. You do wonder what any Labour government might come up with ... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy steel 0 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Repeal, aye. Do we think it will be left to existing other legislation, or do we think another Bill will be drafted? When I posted a few weeks back about the 'Offensive Behviour by Huns at The Football Bill' I wasn't joking. At the very least, we can't say we didn't know what was coming if they get in. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,409 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Now that they have got rid of all the Rangers songs they want to bin it? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Moon 1,113 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I will never understand how anyone can vote Labour. I don't mean Bluenoses, I just mean anyone. Voted Labour all my life!!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aweebluesoandso 290 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I had a premonition this would happen. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrahimHemdani 1 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Education is indeed the key but in terms of legislation this would appear to mean going back to a reliance on Breach of the Peace, which was equally ineffective. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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