Why I’m voting against Scotland’s anti-sectarian Football Act today Today at the Scottish Parliament, opposition parties will unite to attempt to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act. I […]

Today at the Scottish Parliament, opposition parties will unite to attempt to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.

I appreciate that for some this will seem like a curious thing to do. Surely, sectarianism is an offence which must be robustly challenged?

In effect, it has criminalised one section of society in one set of circumstances The i newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

So let’s be absolutely clear on this: in communities across Scotland the scourge of sectarianism remains all too prevalent.

But top-down, kneejerk responses like the reckless Offensive Behaviour at Football Act are a perfect example of how not to go about tackling prejudice.

What we have seen since Alex Salmond used his parliamentary majority to railroad the legislation through Holyrood is confirmation that this is a deeply illiberal, harmful and confused piece of legislation.

It was a counter-productive response to reprehensible scenes at an Old Firm game and a number of other high profile incidents from a government desperate for a quick fix.

There are concerns that repealing the Act sends the wrong message about our collective determination to tackle sectarianism and hate crime more widely.

But we do no-one any favours by leaving unchallenged the false comfort and confidence people might have that this Act provides protection where it does not.

Alienating football fans

In effect, it has criminalised one section of society in one set of circumstances, at the same time alienating many football fans and damaging relations between them and the police.

In its absence, Police Scotland have confirmed that breach of the peace and other powers would be used to tackle inappropriate and offensive behaviour.

Repealing this act is not the be-all and end-all, of course.

We need a tactical switch towards a more holistic approach to tackling sectarianism, involving local authorities, churches, football clubs, schools and more in community-based initiatives.

The solution lies in prevention, building trust and understanding, not gesture politics.

The repeal of legislation that has been described by one judge as ‘mince’ is a chance to think again about how we challenge prejudice.

Lord Bracadale’s review of hate crime, due out later this year, will also support this work.

Meantime, parties from across the political spectrum, Liberal Democrat and Labour, Conservative and Green, will today unite to show this illiberal legislation the red card.

The Scottish Government should abandon its injury time bids to save face and join us.

The author is the justice spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats