Murdo Fraser MSP writes to Chief Constable seeking clarity on recording of Non-Hate Crime Incidents

Murdo Fraser MSP

Murdo Fraser MSP has written to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland in a bid to seek clarity on the recording of Non-Hate Crime Incidents (NHCIs) as part of the controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.

Here is a copy of Mr Fraser'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.

 

  1. Can you please tell me who took this decision, and why?

 

  1. Has Police Scotland’s policy on NCHIs now changed for everyone, or only for high-profile and powerful figures?

 

  1. If the policy has changed, when was this done and how was that decision made?

 

  1. Where can the new policy be found?

 

  1. What now happens to those, like me, who previously had NCHIs recorded? Will these records be extinguished? If not, why not?

 

  1. 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?

 

  1. 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?

 

  1. 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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Murdo Fraser MSP

Murdo Fraser

Murdo Fraser was born in Inverness and studied law at Aberdeen University before practicing as a solicitor in Edinburgh. In the 1999 Scottish Parliament Election, Murdo stood as the Conservative candidate for North Tayside, and fought the constituency again at the 2001 General Election. He became a Member of the Scottish Parliament in August 2001 following the resignation of the previous List Member for Mid-Scotland and Fife, and was re-elected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021. Murdo was Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservatives from November 2005 to November 2011 and has served as spokesman on Education, Health, Economy and Finance. Murdo was delighted to be re-elected in 2021 and is now Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Business, Economic Growth and Tourism.