Policing Priorities in Scotland: The Free Speech Perspective

FSU Edinburgh Speakeasy

POLICING PRIORITIES: THE FREE SPEECH PERSPECTIVE

Wednesday 30th April

The Counting House, 34 West Nicolson St, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9DD.

Panel debate 7.15pm - 9pm, (doors open 6.30pm), bar open until 10.30pm.

While ‘minor crimes’ like theft, burglary, and assault are deprioritised, resources seem increasingly directed towards monitoring online speech, recording ‘non-crime hate incidents’, and enforcing perception-based policing – where an activist’s allegation alone can trigger serious consequences for the accused.

A year after police began enforcing the country’s controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, what has been the impact on free speech, policing, and public trust?

Do the police and our legal system make Scotland a fairer, safer society – or are they the backdrop to a new era of what Scottish writer Ewan Morrison describes as “cute authoritarianism” – a dystopian society in which essential freedoms are sacrificed on our behalf by authorities who claim we require protection from hurt feelings and offence to our identities? What happens to public life when subjective feelings dictate legal consequences? And if Scotland is a testing ground, is this a glimpse of what awaits the rest of us?

Join us on 30th April 2025 for an unmissable discussion with a panel of experts who know the legal and policing landscape inside out. With us will be: Keith Stewart KC, Scotland’s former chief lawyer in Whitehall; Neil Hay, Head of Private Crime at top law firm Levy & McRae; and Calum Steele, ex-General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation. The discussion will be chaired by journalist Kapil Summan.

There will, of course, be plenty of time for discussion, as well as socialising with fellow free speech supporters.

Panel debate 7.15pm - 9pm, (doors open 6.30pm), bar open until 10.30pm.

The FSU returns to The Counting House, 38 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, for this panel discussion, Q and A and social. Book now to be part of it.

Tickets are £5 for FSU members, £10 for non-members.

JOIN the FSU to get discounts at all events.

SPEAKERS:

Keith Stewart KC served as Advocate-depute 2002-2009, as senior Advocate-depute from 2004, and took silk in 2011. In 2020 he was appointed to the post of Advocate General for Scotland, being granted a peerage with the title of Lord Stewart of Dirleton. He served until 2024 as one of the UK Government’s three law officers, in which capacity he provided confidential advice on law, spoke for the Government on the floor of the House of Lords, and carried out scrutiny of proposed primary and secondary legislation. Keith instructed a number of cases of constitutional significance relating to the legislative competence of Scottish Parliament legislation. Since then he has resumed private practice at the Bar and continues to serve on the Opposition front bench in the House of Lords.

Neil Hay is the Head of Private Crime at renowned legal firm, Levy & McRae, Solicitors. He leads a team of lawyers specialising in criminal law, providing legal advice and court representation for professional and high-profile clients. Neil has practised as a solicitor, and as a solicitor-advocate, for a total of nearly thirty years and, accordingly has wide expertise of Scottish court prosecutions. In 2024, FSU developed a strategic partnership with Levy & McRae to provide advice to FSU and its members in relation to legal issues such as the Hate Crime Act.

Calum Steele is the former General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation having served in the role for 15 years prior to his retirement in 2023. Calum also served as the General Secretary of the only international confederation of police unions (ICPRA) for 14 years, and as both Vice-President and President of the European Confederation of Police for 8 years. Amongst other things Calum is now a columnist with the Herald newspaper.

CHAIR: Kapil Summan is a journalist based in Edinburgh with more than a decade's experience covering legal affairs.