LAST week, the hate crime law came into force. This law was passed in the Scottish Parliament in March 2021. I voted for this legislation, along with support from all MSPs within Scottish Labour, Scottish Greens and the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

The hate crime law aims to combat discrimination and foster inclusivity, reaffirming Scotland’s commitment to tolerance and respect for all its citizens.

This legislation not only reinforces our stance against discrimination but also sends a clear message that hateful behaviour will not be tolerated.

However, I am deeply concerned about the recent trend of vexatious complaints made, aiming to overwhelm Police Scotland, while also attempting to divert valuable resources away from genuine cases.

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It is crucial to distinguish between legitimate complaints and those driven by malicious intent.

While everyone has the right to report incidents of hate speech or discriminatory behaviour, we must ensure that our legal mechanisms are not exploited for ulterior motives by those that opposed the creation of the law in the first place.

We are in a cost-of-living crisis caused by Brexit and the Tory mismanagement of the economy.

With the limited powers, this SNP Government are doing all we can to keep money in your pockets.

I note that the average Band D council tax in Scotland will remain at £1,417 for 2024/25 as a result of the SNP Scottish Government’s council tax freeze.

In Tory-run England, the average council tax for a Band D property is £2,171. Including higher water charges, a Band D property owner is paying an average of £783 more in England (and £636 more in Labour-run Wales).

This is on top of free university tuition, free prescriptions, free baby boxes, free dental check-ups and seven welfare payments unique to Scotland, including the Scottish Child Payment.

These are Scotland’s values and we could do so much more with independence.