Sturgeon, Mulholland and Gormley in joint stand against migrant hate

Scotland's Lord Advocate, Chief Constable and First Minister united today to reassure immigrants who settle in the country that they will not tolerate prejudice against them or any other community. 

Refugee groups have expressed concern that hate crime suffered by immigrants is underreported because many immigrants have fled countries where they could not trust law enforcement. However Frank Mulholland QC, Philip Gormley and Nicola Sturgeon insisted that Scotland has some of the toughest hate crime legislation in the world, and urged those affected to have confidence in law enforcement agencies to investigate and where there is sufficient evidence, prosecute those who commit such crimes.

Speaking ahead of a joint Crown Office/Police Scotland conference on hate crime, Mr Mulholland said: “Although racial crime remains the most commonly reported hate crime, it is at its lowest level for over 10 years, which is a welcome step in the right direction. Our ultimate aim is to eradicate offending of this nature altogether and with the help of the public we can achieve that.

“Unfortunately, following recent events around the world, a narrow minded and hateful minority have been targeting those we have welcomed into our country, and other members of our diverse nation, in deluded ‘revenge attacks’.

“Such behaviour is abhorrent and it will be dealt with swiftly and with a zero tolerance approach using the full range of powers available to us."

He added: “There is absolutely no place for prejudice in Scotland for individuals who commit racist crimes or any other crimes motivated by prejudice towards a person’s religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.”

Mr Gormley commented: "Police Scotland will actively target the small minority of individuals who seek to marginalise and isolate others on the basis of their actual or presumed sexual orientation, transgender identity, disability, race or religion. Everyone has the right to live their life in safety and without fear.”

The First Minister stated: “There’s simply no excuse for any form of hate crime in Scotland and it will never be tolerated.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe, which is why this Government has invested over £20m this year in projects the length and breadth of Scotland to tackle inequality and hate crime and support our diverse communities."