Jim Sillars

LAST week saw a climbdown by the Scottish Government on one of the most controversial aspects of its Hate Crime Bill. After a huge public backlash, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf announced the offence of stirring up of hatred included in the draft legislation will be amended to ensure that no citizen can commit an offence unless “intent” to stir up hatred can be proven by the court.

THE Scotland before and after the Govan by-election on March 10 1988 were two different places. The constitutional issue that had lain dormant since the failed referendum in 1979 became a potent political factor once again.