Some in the U.K. are having second thoughts about new hate crime legislation that allows police to add racial or religious prejudice to underlying crimes, and requires courts to take the additional offense into account. The newly criminalized word is "boyo." The Herald of Scotland notes:

A Labour councillor in Lanarkshire has been convicted of a racially—aggravated breach of the peace after calling one of his constituents, a Welshman, "Boyo".

Danny Meikle was fined ｣750 over his row with Tecwyn Thomas, 57, at the councillor's surgery. Ironically, the argument was over English sewage.

The conviction, after a trial at Lanark Sheriff Court, may have put Meikle's political career in jeopardy.

It has also raised concerns that new legislation designed to crack down on racist or sectarian behaviour has gone too far.

Thomas Lifson   8 26 05