We're getting behind bid to make sex unbuyable

Labour and SNP MSPs urge government to back law against prostitution punters

- CHRIS MCCALL and PAUL HUTCHEON

A LABOUR and an SNP MSP have both declared their support for radical legislation to criminalise Scots who buy sex.

Rhoda Grant and Ruth Maguire have sent a joint letter to the Scottish Government calling on them to back the Prostitution (Offences and Support) Bill.

The law change has been proposed by independent MSP Ash Regan, who quit the Alba Party last month.

It would mean people paying for prostitution could be hit with fines of up to £10,000 and face jail time.

Police Scotland has backed Regan's plan and the national constabulary is also in favour of decriminalising the largely female sellers of sex. Sex worker charity National Ugly Mugs is opposed to criminalisation and has warned any clampdown would be unworkable.