Ministers set to back new law against gay hate crime

TheHerald.co.uk – Robbie Dinwoodie – Chief Scottish Political Correspondent

Ministers will today give their backing to a change in the law on hate crime to give protection to gay, transgender and disabled people.

The reform would extend to these groups the protection given to those subjected to abuse or assault on grounds of their race or religion.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie campaigned on the issue in the last Parliament and in 2004 conducted a full public consultation in support of his proposed member’s bill.