Scotland is getting a new, modern blasphemy code in the form of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which takes effect from 1 April. The offence of ‘stirring up racial hatred’ will be extended to disability, religion, sexual orientation, age, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics. The new law gives few assurances for protecting freedom of speech writes Lucy Hunter Blackburn, former senior Scottish civil servant.
In The Edition podcast, Claire discusses these developments with Lucy and hosts William Moore and Gus Carter.
Listen to the podcast on The Spectator’s website. (The discussion begins 3 minutes in.)