DUP's Frew questions why only football is subject to hooligan regulations as he tells minister 'we won't be rushed'
The DUP MLA who chairs Stormont’s justice committee says the body “won’t be rushed” into agreeing updates to football hooligan regulations which have been out of date for many years.
Paul Frew has also questioned why the rules shouldn’t be applicable to sports beyond football, such as GAA games or hockey.
His comments come after it emerged the justice minister Naomi Long requested new rules be approved by MLAs in just a few days before the summer recess.
A judicial review taken by Jamie Bryson against the Department of Justice (DoJ) has yet to conclude, but Mrs Long’s department has accepted his basic point that the regulations need updated.
Mr Frew told the News Letter MLAs should take time to ensure the law is appropriate, proportionate and fit for purpose.
“We won’t be rushed into agreeing regulations that have been clearly sitting in statute outdated for many years and that in itself raises a series of questions. It’s very clear now that having initially refused to acknowledge there was any issue with the regulations as presently drafted, the Justice Minister is now changing them to address the very issue identified by Mr Bryson.
“The Department for Communities has responsibility for the policy provisions in the 2011 Act and has instructed DoJ to bring forward these amendments”, he said.
The North Antrim MLA said the legislation is designed to protect participants and spectators.
“It protects people from chanting of a sectarian or indecent nature that consists of or includes matters which is threatening, abusive or insulting to a person by reason of that person's colour, race, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origins, religious belief, sexual orientation or disability.
“It creates an offence for a person at any time during the period of a regulated match to go onto the playing area, or any area adjacent to the playing area to which spectators are not generally admitted, without lawful authority or lawful excuse and it protects participants and spectators from the misuse of fireworks. Why would we not want this extended to protect other sports participants and spectators?”. he said.