The proposals have already attracted opposition from a diverse cast list including front-line police officers, senior lawyers, the Catholic Church and the National Secular Society.
Now those fighting hate crime legislation drawn up by ministers at Holyrood have been joined by an ensemble that ranges from Blackadder to “Mary Doll” Nesbitt and crime writers who would be appalled to see their fictional detectives forced to investigate what they see as the stifling of free speech.
More than 20 artists, authors and campaigners including leading nationalists and allies of Nicola Sturgeon have joined calls for the proposals to be altered. In an open letter published today the coalition of 24 public figures and groups says that the “well-meaning bill” could have unintended consequences with a
