2 May

7:01 AM

The SNP are reintroducing the offence of blasphemyhttps://t.co/GQQXrOQ3kM pic.twitter.com/0IsAt1eiv9

— Effie Deans (@Effiedeans) May 2, 2020

4 May

3:00 PM

Really tough but necessary msg from @ScotGovFM daily briefing. Unlikely to make changes to lockdown measures at next review period (Thu 7th May) - to do so at this stage would risk more people dying.

Test, trace, isolate part of next phase, details belowhttps://t.co/s6j3E1RSmj

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 4, 2020

4:37 PM

Many daft takes on Hate Crime Bill, this one is right up there. Bill scraps the Blasphemy Law & has a Freedom of Expression Law which enshrines right to criticise religion. It also protects ppl from Religious Hatred (aggravator already exists) it applies to all religions equally https://t.co/ZNpnIDRt5I

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 4, 2020

4:38 PM

Oh and one look at the comments below this ludicrous article shows why we need laws to protect against religious hatred. Islamaphobia on the comments on @Effiedeans thread just prove the point of the need for this Bill. https://t.co/ZNpnIDRt5I

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 4, 2020

5 May

7:54 AM

The ratio on this tweet tells you everything you need to know about public attitudes towards the dangerous elements of the Hate Crimes Bill. Free speech is under threat. https://t.co/m52wvJ5o9C

— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) May 5, 2020

8:07 AM

Awful from Murdo. I mention blatant Islamaphobia/racism (see examples below) on a thread of a right-wing article (riddled with complete inaccuracies btw) his only response is to endorse said article & suggest free speech is under threat?

Thanks for the solidarity colleague...👍 https://t.co/fJQev2EqYc pic.twitter.com/n3LsX0NVhg

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 5, 2020

8:07 AM

pic.twitter.com/tumb2bKU2G

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 5, 2020

8:37 AM

This is a woeful response from a Justice Secretary who doesn’t even understand his own Bill. There is a specific protection allowing criticism of religions in relation to the new ‘stirring up’ offences so those who want to attack Islam can still do it under this Bill (1/2) https://t.co/rBVZagYv1y

— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) May 5, 2020

8:40 AM

What he has done is unite lawyers, civil libertarians, faith groups, and feminists, all of whom have legitimate concerns about overreach and the impact on free speech. This needs a serious response and not being denouced as ‘baloney’.

— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) May 5, 2020

9:37 AM

Wont say more on this but replace words "Muslim" in these tweets with "Black" or "Jew" and there would be no question that they are racist/anti-semitic. I am astounded by Murdo's defence of them as free speech.

No concerns abt criticising religion, shouldn't cross into hatred. https://t.co/7cv4J4AOob

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 5, 2020

9:42 AM

Half-hearted opposition from a "conservative" as usual. The problem with the proposed law is not "dangerous elements," it is wholly wrong from conception to execution. As we show here:https://t.co/bsENbsgTJt

— ScottishFamilyParty (@scotfamparty) May 5, 2020

9:47 AM

But Humza, once again you demonstrate that you don't understand your own Bill. You are confusing race (where causing hatred is, and should be, criminal) with religion (where your own Bill specifically permits criticism). You make my points for me!

— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) May 5, 2020

9:53 AM

You really don't understand the Bill at all or the nature of racism/hatred! Noone is arguing criticism of religion is criminal, the tweets I screenshot do not do that Murdo! Read the Bill, causing religious hatred is not permitted - there is an aggravator for religious hatred. https://t.co/3WFrdrBjDl

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 5, 2020

9:57 AM

You do know the difference between religious hatred as an aggravator, and a stand-alone offence of stirring-up religious hatred (to which there is a defence of legitimate criticism)? It doesn’t sound like you know your own Bill!

— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) May 5, 2020

9:59 AM

Yes i know the difference, you are beyond patronising. What you seem prepared to do is defend blatantly Islamaphobic and racist tweets Murdo, and hide behind your opposition to the Bill to do so. Do you think the tweets posted are legitimate criticism, yes or no? https://t.co/rwShTs9toP

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 5, 2020

10:03 AM

I see you are resorting to a straw man argument as you can’t even explain your own Bill provisions.

— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) May 5, 2020

10 May

11:48 AM

Great piece in the Scottish Mail on Sunday by @Jackson_Carlaw on the SNP’s Hate Crimes Bill and why the new ‘stirring up hatred’ offence is so dangerous pic.twitter.com/EJCKtlwcMq

— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) May 10, 2020

12:22 PM

Worth saying, vast majority of mainstream religious orgs support Hate Crime legislation -I see the only org mentioned in the piece is the Christian Institute. I am not sure who they represent or if their views are respresentative of many Christians, but as always happy to engage https://t.co/ImEQOXWarW

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 10, 2020

26 May

11:47 AM

"Time really is of the essence."@NicolaSturgeon launches Test and Protect campaign, and says from Thursday anyone with Covid-19 symproms should take immediate steps to book an appointment for a test.

Listen live ➡️https://t.co/eBEsndoi7w pic.twitter.com/EudsDDHe95

— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) May 26, 2020

28 May

5:19 PM

Statement from @CC_Livingstone on changes to #coronavirus lockdown restrictions announced today by @scotgov pic.twitter.com/KDKvqmqCJ4

— Police Scotland (@PoliceScotland) May 28, 2020

31 May

6:52 PM

Heart breaks watching scenes in the USA. So much injustice and a President who doesn't seek to calm the tensions but has spent years fanning the flames of racial intolerance.

If you cannot see, let alone feel the hurt of Black Americans your heart is stone#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Z5oEV69hne

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 31, 2020