Stonewall welcomes new hate crime bill update but argues action: ‘No justifiable reason for delay’

(Image: Mike Gimelfarb/Wikimedia Commons)

An updated version of the Crime and Policing Bill in the UK, which aims to classify anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-disability hate crimes as ‘aggravated’ offences, is set to be debated in parliament today.

Clause 122 would bring LGBTQ+-specific incidents in line with hate crimes based on race and religion, leading to potentially harsher sentences and more consistent prosecutions.

Simon Blake, CEO of Stonewall, has said he “strongly’ welcomes the amendment, relaying in a statement that “Stonewall has long called for anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime to be made an aggravated offence.”

“The LGBTQ+ community and allies are increasingly worried about LGBTQ+ rights,” Blake said, calling the bill a “commitment to the Government’s manifesto.”

“There is no justifiable reason for further delay,” he added.

The clause is tabled by

READ MORE OF THIS POST AT Attitude