MSPs declare support for Ash Regan's legislation to criminalise Scots who buy sex from prostitutes

Two MSPs from Labour and the SNP have declared their support for radical legislation to criminalise Scots who buy sex . Rhoda Grant and Ruth Maguire have sent a joint letter to the Scottish Government calling on them to back the Prostitution (Offences and Support) Bill . The law change has been proposed by independent MSP Ash Regan, who quit the Alba Party last month, and would mean people paying for prostitution could be hit with fines of up to £10,000 and face jail time. Police Scotland has backed Regan’s plan and the national constabulary is also in favour of decriminalising the largely female sellers of sex. Sex worker charity National Ugly Mugs is firmly opposed to criminalising the buying of sex and has warned any clampdown would be unworkable. But Labour MSP Grant and Nationalist member Maguire believe the legislation "provides an excellent opportunity for Government to demonstrate commitment through action and address concerns held in some quarters about their focus on women". It's understood Regan's proposals will be discussed by John Swinney's Cabinet at its weekly meeting tomorrow. The Government is then expected to spell out its views on the legislation to members of Holyrood's Justice committee on Wednesday. In a joint letter, the MSPs said: "We are writing to urge you to throw the weight of the Scottish Government behind the bill at Stage 1 and make good, by taking legislative action, on an issue it has understood for years. "Namely, that commercial sexual exploitation – including prostitution is a form of violence against women and that Scotland will not be an equal society for as long as that violence is tolerated. "Support at Stage 1 is about agreeing to the principle of reducing the amount of prostitution in Scotland because of the clear evidence of exploitation and the harms that it causes to both the individuals directly involved and our wider communities. "This Bill provides an excellent opportunity for Government to demonstrate commitment through action and address concerns held in some quarters about their focus on women. "Failure to act will not reflect well the Scottish Governments dedication to addressing women’s equality. "We understand the Government has concerns around certain aspects of the bill, however, strongly believe these can be dealt with at Stage 2 and 3 and along with countless others stand ready to give all the assistance we can to make this legislation work. "We sincerely hope that the Scottish Government will grab this opportunity to change our wholly unjust laws and make a real difference to vulnerable women and girls." Regan said: "Prostitution is a form of violence against women. That’s not just my personal opinion, it is the view of the Scottish Government, COSLA and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls. "The public agree that stronger laws are needed. The cross party support of my colleagues is very much welcome." Last month, a poll found 67 per cent believe purchasing sexual services should be an offence while 87 per cent support decriminalisation of selling sex on the grounds of exploitation. To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here