SNP MP Joanna Cherry has slammed Police Scotland over their handling of non-crime hate incidents due to new anti-hate laws and pleaded that all non-crime hate incidents be wiped.
Police Scotland confirmed yesterday that neither Humza Yousaf nor J.K. Rowling would be recorded in the policing system as part of a “non-crime” hate incident.
This comes despite both being reported to Police Scotland over various issues with the First Minister facing the repercussions of his infamous “white” speech in Holyrood.
Harry Potter author Rowling was shopped to cops after her April Fools’ Day thread on social media where she called ten transgender women men.
However, this has left politician and lawyer Cherry frustrated with the KC sharing her thoughts on social media and asking Police Scotland to wipe their database of non-crime hate incidents.
The KC took to social media yesterday evening following the news of Police Scotland’s decision over both the FM and Rowling’s antics.
Speaking yesterday, Cherry wrote: “It seems Police Scotland are revising their policy on recording non-crime hate incidents on the hoof in order to avoid the embarrassment of recording incidents against an internationally, renowned author and philanthropist and the First Minister of Scotland.
“This really isn’t good enough and calls into question the application of the policy to date.
“The policy should be applied equally to everyone, Police Scotland should wipe their existing database of non-crime hate incidents and carry out a proper review of their policy in line with the principle of equality before the law.”
The Scot Nat’s views were shared by Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser who has been registered by Police Scotland over a non-crime hate incident.
Fraser was cleared by police after he tweeted that identifying as non-binary was “as valid as choosing to identify as a cat”.
Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, the Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP had the post recorded by Police Scotland, he has now threatened potential legal action.
Police Scotland offered some clarification on the incidents involving J.K. Rowling and Humza Yousaf yesterday.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “The circumstances have been assessed and will not be recorded as a Non-Crime Hate Incident.”
