By Paul Hutcheon

Copyright dailyrecord

Scots have overwhelmingly backed plans to criminalise people who buy sex from prostitutes . A poll found 67% believe purchasing sexual services should be an offence. A bigger proportion, 87%, support the decriminalisation of selling sex on the grounds of exploitation . Alba MSP Ash Regan has a Holyrood Bill which would hit sex buyers with fines of up to £10,000 and possible jail sentences. Regan, a former SNP Justice Minister, also wants to quash the historic convictions of prostitutes. A poll commissioned by the MSP, and carried out by Find Out Now, has revealed the public back what she is trying to achieve. Respondents were asked if they support or oppose making it a criminal offence to buy sex in Scotland. Over two thirds, 67%, said they are in favour, with 33% against. When those who did not express a view were included in the polling data, 43% were in favour, 36% were neither for or against, and 21% were in opposition. Scots were also asked if they support or oppose ending the criminalisation of people who sell sex, recognising them as “victims of exploitation rather than criminals”. Of those who expressed a clear view, nearly nine out of ten Scots, 87%, said they are in support, with 13% opposed. In the same sample, 90% of women supported the plan, compared to 85% of men. The polling found 94% of SNP voters at the general election backed the move while 77% of Tory voters said the same. When those who did not express a view were included, the numbers were 56% in support of decriminalisation, 36% neither for or against and 8% opposed. Regan said: “The people of Scotland have spoken and their verdict is overwhelming. A clear majority backs my Unbuyable Bill, which shifts the shame and criminality from those exploited in prostitution onto those who exploit them.” “Commercial sexual exploitation of vulnerable, mainly women and girls, should never be about party politics. Polling shows support from voters of every main political party, sending a powerful message: Scots across the political spectrum want an end to the buying of women’s bodies and they expect Parliament to act.” “I am calling on the leaders of all Scotland’s parties to listen to the public and prioritise the safety, dignity and rights of women and girls by backing my Unbuyable Bill into law.” “My door is open to any colleague who has questions or wants further information, as this is a chance for us, together, to deliver real change to ensure Scotland catches up with countries like Sweden, France and Ireland and many others, in tackling the exploitation of prostitution.” It comes after Police Scotland backed Regan’s plan. The single force said it supports a clampdown and is also in favour of decriminalising the largely female sellers of sex. In another response, the PCS trade union expressed opposition to the Bill: “Criminalising the purchasing of sexual acts or services pushes workers into working conditions that are more dangerous or precarious, such as working alone or outdoors.” Regan was a junior Minister in Nicola Sturgeon’s Government before resigning over plans to make it easier for trans people to change gender. She later joined Alba. To sign up to the Daily R ecord Politics newsletter, click here