First Minister Alex Salmond defends sectarian bill

First Minister Alex Salmond has defended government plans to tackle football-related violence, amid claims they do not have the country's support. His comments came as Scottish Labour Leader Iain Gray said a bill to tackle sectarianism was flawed. At the same time, leading sectarian charity Nil By Mouth said the legislation was "too narrow". The Scottish government's bill would see those convicted facing a maximum five years in prison. Ministers have already delayed the timetable for the Offensive Behaviour at Football Bill amid concern from areas such as fans groups and, more recently, a Catholic bishop. During first minister's questions at Holyrood, Mr Gray said: "We accept the need to legislate on sectarianism - that does not mean that any legislation has to be supported. It must garner the support of the country. He asked: "It has not done that so far. Does the first minister not recognise that, as it stands, this legislation can't be supported?" Confusion has surrounded exactly what would constitute a sectarian offence. In response, Mr Salmond, who was seeking the backing of opposition parties for the bill, said: "All of us have to make a choice. "We can either be part of the backlash or part of the solution. I truly hope that most people in this parliament decide to be part of the solution." Nil By Mouth said "less grandstanding" needed to give way to a wider debate about the problem which was not confined to football. But Strathclyde Police said the new law was needed to tackle disorder and songs of "hatred, religion and terrorism". The comments came on the day that the Scottish Parliament's justice committee was due to publish is report on the bill. Earlier this week the Roman Catholic Bishop of Paisley, Philip Tartaglia, warned Mr Salmond of a "serious chill" in church relations with SNP ministers. In a letter to Mr Salmond, the bishop said laws to tackle football related sectarianism were a "distraction". The first minister will meet the bishop on Friday to talk through the issue