ELECTION 2021: Moray Tory candidate Tim Eagle calling for repeal of 'scandalous' Hate Crime Bill
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The Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for Moray is pledging he will do what he can to try repeal the "scandalous" Hate Crime Bill.
Tim Eagle states he is also backing plans to amend the general law in order to give women more protection.
The Hate Crime Bill was passed into law in Scotland last month, with support from SNP, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green MSPs.
Mr Eagle said: "It is a scandalous piece of legislation which offers no protection from prosecution to people in regards to what they say in their own homes.
"Only the Scottish Conservatives stood against this bill and removed even more extreme elements before it was finally railroaded through.
"It is right we challenge hate crime but this bill has huge flaws.
"If I am elected as the MSP for Moray I pledge to repeal this bill."
Contained within the legislation is the new offence of intentionally "stirring up hatred".
Offences can also now be committed in private.
This abandons an earlier "dwelling defence" which existed in race hate law and protected people from prosecution for what they said while in their own homes.
Under the bill, any offence will be viewed to have been "aggravated" – which could lead to heavier punishment – if it involves prejudice due to age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity.
However, an amendment to class women as a protected group was defeated.
Instead, the government has set a working group to examine whether misogynistic abuse should become a separate crime.
Mr Eagle said: "I am concerned that the bill does not consider sex an aggravating factor in hate crimes.
"It is clear that women are often targeted because of their sex.
"It is a real shame given the strength of feeling that the SNP choose to ignore this in the final bill."
