Murdo has written to Police Scotland's Chief Constable to seek clarity on the recording of Non-Hate Crime Incidents as part of the controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.
Here is a copy of Murdo's letter:
Jo Farrell, Chief Constable of Police Scotland
Police Scotland Headquarters
Tulliallan Castle
Fife
FK10 4BE
April 4, 2024
Dear Chief Constable,
Questions concerning recording of Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs) as part of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021
I am writing to you concerning Police Scotland yesterday announcing that, contrary to its stated policy, NCHIs would not be recorded in relation to comments made by First Minister Humza Yousaf and the author JK Rowling. I have a number of serious questions which arise from this and for which I would be grateful to have your urgent response.
- Can you please tell me who took this decision, and why?
- Has Police Scotland’s policy on NCHIs now changed for everyone, or only for high-profile and powerful figures?
- If the policy has changed, when was this done and how was that decision made?
- Where can the new policy be found?
- What now happens to those, like me, who previously had NCHIs recorded? Will these records be extinguished? If not, why not?
- Yesterday, on BBC Radio Scotland, the Justice Minister Siobhian Brown MSP said that the police should ‘treat everyone the same.’ Does Police Scotland agree with this?
- Does Police Scotland accept that the decision to record a NCHI in my case, but not that of the SNP First Minister, suggests political bias?
- Finally, I would like to know when will we have a clear statement from Police Scotland as to exactly where their policy on NCHIs now stands?
As these are matters of considerable interest to my constituents, and to the wider public, I am releasing this letter to the media.
I look forward to hearing from you as a matter of urgency.
Yours sincerely,
Murdo Fraser MSP
Member for Mid Scotland & Fife (Scottish Conservatives)
