Labour helps to defend victims of hate crime

Nancy Platts, Labour's next candidate as MP for Brighton Pavilion, today welcomed the government's decision to give greater protection against hate and sex crimes.

Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, announced to Parliament the government's decision to make it a crime to incite hatred because of a person's sexual orientation or perceived orientation. It will carry a maximum of sentence of seven years.

Jack Straw said:

"It is a measure of how far we have come as a society in the last 10 years that we are now appalled by hatred and invective directed at people on the basis of their sexuality. It is time for the law to recognise this."

Welcoming the decision, Nancy Platts said:

"This is a much-needed reform that LGBT Labour has been pressing for - strongly supported by Labour activists across Brighton.

"Under Gordon Brown's leadership, Labour is committed to equality and social justice for all. This latest move by Labour will help defend the victims of hate crime and homophobia. It builds on Labour's proud record of responding to the needs of the LGBT community."