Holyrood backs bill pardoning historical sexual offences at stage one

MSPs have voted unanimously to endorse the general principles of the Scottish government’s Historic Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) (Scotland) Bill at stage one.

The legislation will provide gay and bisexual men convicted under historical discriminatory laws for acts that are now legal with an automatic pardon, and also enable men to apply to have convictions for same-sex sexual activity that is now legal removed from central criminal conviction records.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson (pictured) said: “I am pleased that the Scottish Parliament has united behind this bill – which is both symbolic and has a real, practical benefit for those who continue to suffer discrimination as a result of previous convictions.

“I am under no illusions that this bill, or any other legislation, can itself right the massive injustice caused by these discriminatory laws that criminalised the act of loving another adult. Those laws that deterred people from being open about who they are to family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues, and by sending a message that Parliament considered that homosexuality was wrong, encouraged homophobia and hatred.

“However, through the pardon this bill will send a clear message to those who were affected by them that these laws were unjust. And through the establishment of a disregards scheme, we can ensure that people do not continue to suffer discrimination as a result of such convictions being disclosed to potential employers or when applying to be a volunteer.”