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The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Team
Closed petition PE2047: Make malicious false allegations a hate crime
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to consider legislation to ensure that malicious false allegations are considered hate crimes and dealt with as such.
Previous action taken
I have emailed MSPs Bill Kidd, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Sandesh Gulhane, Patrick Harvie, Pauline McNeill, Anas Sarwar, Paul Sweeney, Annie Wells and nine others.
I previously proposed a similar law for the UK Parliament, but Carol Monaghan MP suggested it was more apt for the Scottish Parliament.
I lodged a similar petition in 2019, which was considered by the previous Petitions Committee on 12 September 2019.
Background information
As a victim of malicious false allegations, I testify to their life changing, destructive power. Starting small they grew heinous, until finally I was arrested and a trial date set. Without an unexpected witness, I would be serving a sentence.
The ultimate tragedy: there was no rejoicing in my freedom. Years on I, and others, are still dealing with the consequences of malicious false allegations. The accusers were arrested for Perverting the Course of Justice, but as the Procurator Fiscal deemed it “not in the public interest” to go to trial they initially walked free but have since been found guilty. I fought successfully to retrieve my good name and my details were removed from Police Scotland’s database.
I now seek justice for all and respectfully ask Parliament to amend and update its laws, ensuring that it considers the suffering of victims.
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
100 signatures