MSP seeks ‘consensus’ at Holyrood on Bill to criminalise those who buy sex

MSP Ash Regan has insisted “consensus” can be found at Holyrood to pass her Bill and criminalise those who purchase sex from prostitutes.

Community safety minister Siobhian Brown said last week she has “significant concerns” about Ms Regan’s proposals, which would, if passed, see those convicted of buying sex fined up to £10,000 or face jail.

However, after Ms Brown said ministers “strongly support the principle of legislating to criminalise purchasers of sex”, the independent MSP said she now hopes a “consensus can be found” that would see the legislation passed before next May’s Scottish elections.

Ms Regan, a former Scottish Government minister, spoke out ahead of giving evidence on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill to MSPs on Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee.

She said: “The Scottish Government has a long-standing commitment to tackling commercial sexual exploitation and I believe that commitment is shared by a majority of members in the Scottish Parliament.

“Criminalising sex buyers is the critical next step in shifting societal attitudes around male violence against women.

“It is a view supported by an overwhelming majority of the public and I believe a consensus can be found across Parliament to achieve it in this session.”

The MSP insisted her legislation would “send the clearest possible message that women and girls are not sexual products to meet male demand”.

And Ms Regan added: “Consistently criminalising those who sexually exploit the vulnerable can put Scotland in the strongest position to tackle the global crisis of male violence against women.”

She said she would now seek to “work constructively with the Scottish Government and MSPs from all parties, to ensure my proposed Bill strengthens the work already underway to address sexual exploitation and to tackle male violence against women”.

She stated: “Together, we can pass the strong laws the public agrees are needed now, to better protect women and children across Scotland.”

As well as criminalising the buying of sex, Ms Regan’s Bill also proposes to repeal the existing offence of loitering, soliciting or importuning in a public place for the purposes of prostitution.

People found guilty of this offence in the past would have their convictions quashed by the legislation, which would also give rights of support to those trying to leave prostitution.