Labour's Curran Demands Sectarian Act Is Repealed

The Shadow Scottish Secretary is calling for the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act to be repealed.

Margaret Curran says the act is an embarrassment and increases tension between fans and the police. The law - which was passed three years ago - makes it illegal to behave in a way that incites public disorder.

She said: “It has been over three years since the Football Act was passed and in those years there has been no evidence that it has made any positive effect on reducing intolerance and bigotry in Scotland.

“Instead, we have had football fans wearing pro-Palestine t-shirts subjected to questioning from Police and suggestions that people wearing "Yes" badges could be liable for prosecution. It's no surprise that a senior Sheriff called the law "mince".

“It was a law in search of a headline and, for the first time, broke down the consensus that had existed between football clubs, fans, political parties and Scottish civil society in the fight to combat sectarianism. It was nothing but a knee jerk policy that failed to grasp the complexities of sectarianism.”

The SNP has been contacted for comment.