MSPs to vote of Offensive Behaviour at Football Act repeal

By The Newsroom
Published 27th Feb 2018, 07:47 BST
Updated 27th Feb 2018, 08:57 BST
MSPs are to vote on stage 2 of the repeal this afternoon.MSPs are to vote on stage 2 of the repeal this afternoon.
MSPs are to vote on stage 2 of the repeal this afternoon.
A repeal of controversial legislation to tackle sectarianism at football is expected to move a step forward later.

MSPs on Holyrood’s Justice Committee are likely to endorse a bill by Labour’s James Kelly to scrap the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act.

The committee vote on Tuesday marks stage two of the political process and follows MSPs from opposition parties banding together to defeat the government in a vote supporting the general principles of the legislation to repeal last month.

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Mr Kelly said: “The SNP was wrong to use its previous parliamentary majority to bulldoze the Football Act through in the first place - however we are now getting closer to repealing the law.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson during a debate on the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act. Picture; PAJustice Secretary Michael Matheson during a debate on the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act. Picture; PA
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson during a debate on the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act. Picture; PA
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