01/03/16
As reported in the Herald today, a statement calling for the repeal of the Act has been endorsed by a huge range of figures from Scottish society and beyond. The full text of the statement and list of signatories is reproduced below:
We, the undersigned, call on the Scottish Government to repeal the Offensive Behavior at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.
We do so on the basis that it is wrong to create a law which applies to one demonised sector of society, which this act does to football fans. It is by definition a discriminatory piece of legislation and we also note that the Government has failed in its commitment outlined in its Equality Impact Assessment to carry out an equalities audit in regard to this law.
We also oppose this legislation on the basis that it is practically impossible and inherently dangerous to criminalise offensiveness. This Act is therefore an unjustifiable attack on freedom of speech and the rights’ of fans to political expression.
This legislation was a clumsy political response to one football match which serves only to unjustly criminalise football supporters and should be repealed as a matter of urgency.
Endorsed by:
Fans Against Criminalisation
Liberty, (also known as National Council for Civil Liberties)
The Irish Voice, Irish Community newspaper
The Glasgow Irish Heritage Group
Danny Boyle, Parliamentary and Policy Officer, BEMIS, equalities organisation
Paddy Callaghan (Comhaltas Development Officer Scotland)
Evin Ó Dunaigh (Personal Capacity / Development Officer – Conradh Na Gaeilge Alba)
Tom Grant, former Celtic Director
John Paul Taylor, Fans Liaison Officer (Celtic Football Club) – in a personal capacity
Alasdair McKillop, Co-Founder of ‘The Rangers Standard’
John Higgins, professional snooker player
Tam Cowan, broadcaster
Stuart Cosgrove, broadcaster
Alan Bissett, Author and Playwright
Gary Lamont, Actor, (River City)
Joseph M Bradley, Senior Lecturer, University of Stirling
Carlton Brick, Lecturer, University of the West of Scotland
Craig Daly, Senior University Teacher, University of Glasgow
Lesley Doyle, Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow
Sir Tom Devine, Emeritus Professor, University of Edinburgh
Jeanette Findlay, Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow
Patricia Findlay, Professor, University of Strathclyde
Tom Gallagher, Emeritus Professor, University of Bradford
Marion Hersh, Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow
Liam Kane, Lecturer, University of Glasgow
John Kelly, Lecturer, University of Edinburgh
Willy Maley, Professor, University of Glasgow
Maureen McBride, Doctoral researcher, Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, University of Glasgow
David Mckendrick, Lecturer in Social Work
Stuart Waiton, Senior Lecturer, University of Abertay
Cat Boyd, Parliamentary Candidate, RISE
Maggie Chapman, Co-Convenor of the Scottish Green Party
Neil Findlay MSP, Scottish Labour Party
Colin Fox, National Co-Spokesperson, Scottish Socialist Party
George Galloway
Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-Convenor of the Scottish Green Party
James Kelly MSP, Scottish Labour Party (Shadow Cabinet)
Paul Martin MSP, Scottish Labour Party
Liam McLaughlin, Scottish Socialist Party (Executive Committee)
Michael McMahon MSP, Scottish Labour Party
Siobhán McMahon MSP, Scottish Labour Party
Thomas Rannachan, Parliamentary Candidate, Scottish Labour Party
Suki Sangha, Parliamentary Candidate, RISE
Anas Sarwar, Parliamentary Candidate and former MP, Scottish Labour Party
Glasgow
Fariha Thomas, Glasgow City Councillor, Parliamentary Candidate, Scottish Labour Party
Tony Callahan, Solicitor
Sinead Corrigan, Solicitor
Paul Kavanagh, Solicitor
Barry McCormack, Solicitor
Paul Mullen, Solicitor
Ann Ritchie, Solicitor