Marion Millar has appeared in court accused by prosecutors of sending homophobic and transphobic tweets.
It is claimed she posted a photograph on social media of a sign where a named Scots actor was working at the time.
The charge also alleges she wrote personal and false information relating to a female police constable on social media.
Marion Millar made no plea at Glasgow Sheriff Court and the case will consider whether the prosecution goes against Ms Millar’s human rights.
Marion Miller was represented by Joanna Cherry QC, the SNP MP for Edinburgh South West.
Ms Cherry told the court: “I would like to go ahead to continue without a plea due to three reasons.
“The first is practical. Ms Millar only saw the complaint, with charges from the Crown, 10 minutes prior (to this hearing).
“The second is that the communication charges are not compatible with guidelines, so it’s not appropriate to plead with.
“The third is it raised serious questions about Ms Millar’s European human rights.”
Ms Cherry asked for a date to be set for a further hearing.
Prosecutor Lesley Chambers said: “I have no objection to this.”
Sheriff Shona McKie set a further hearing for Monday 4th October. Ms Millar was granted bail.
Prosecutors state Ms Millar repeatedly posted content on social media that was of a “homophobic and transphobic nature”. They said Ms Millar, 50, allegedly behaved in a threatening or abusive manner between October and June within the Glasgow area and in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.
The offence is said to have been aggravated by prejudice related to sexual orientation.
A statement was read outside court on behalf of Ms Millar:
“Today Marion Millar attended court and for the first time received the copy of the Crown’s complaint setting out the charges against her. She was represented by Joanna Cherry QC and Paul Harvey Advocate, instructed by Beltrami and Co solicitors.
“She made no plea and the case was continued for a hearing on the 4th of October, so that the court can consider a number of preliminary legal issues including the compatibility of this prosecution with Ms Millar’s human rights under the European Convention of Human Rights.”
Miss Millar supports For Women Scotland, a group that brought a legal challenge against the Scottish government in January over its definition of “woman” in an act to improve gender representation.
VIDEO: Marion Millar leaving Glasgow Sheriff Court and a statement was read on her behalf. Marion has made no plea and the case was continued to Monday 4th October to consider human rights issues. The court will deliberate whether this prosecution goes against Marion’s human rights.
LGN video reporter MrMenno.
Comments
No comments yet, be the first to leave a comment.