Hate law hysteria

Scots cops were dealing with over 60 grievances per hour

- CHRIS MCCALL

AN SNP minister has warned of "hysteria" gripping Scots over new hate crime laws after it emerged police received almost 4000 complaints in just two days.

Siobhian Brown, whose brief covers community safety, also revealed someone made a fake complaint in her name.

Police were said to be receiving more than 60 complaints per hour on average since the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act took effect on Monday.

Complaints can be made online with no need to speak to an officer in person.

Brown said yesterday: "I was surprised on Monday to receive a call from Police Scotland about my complaint this was a fake complaint someone had done anonymously in my name, and gave my office number.

"It shows the publicity and misinformation that's out there about this Act, that people are making fake and vexatious complaints."

When told this was an issue the government was previously warned about, Brown told BBC Radio Scotland: "In the last couple of weeks, there has been a lot of misinformation and hysteria regarding this Bill."

There is growing frustration in the Scottish Government at the reaction to the Hate Crime Act after celebrities like JK Rowling and Ally McCoist spoke out against it.

The multi-millionaire author challenged police to arrest her and the Rangers legend described the legislation as "crazy".

But a senior government source told the Record people should read up on the law before "sounding off in public". They said: "There needs to be a reality check about what it is and even more so about what it isn't.