A MOVE to placate opposition to the Scottish Government's controversial legislation on tackling sectarianism by introducing a freedom of expression guarantee has failed.

MSPs on Holyrood's Justice Committee voted for the clause during the second of three stages needed before the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill can become law.

However, Labour maintained its opposition to the Bill, abstaining on amendments and insisted the legislation was not "fit for purpose".

Justice spokesman James Kelly said Labour had abstained to let ministers reflect. He said Commun- ity Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham had "not interacted with the process".

The new freedom of expression clause covers communications such as messages sent over the internet which may contain insults or abuse of religious beliefs, but it does not cover sectarian behaviour at football matches.

Ms Cunningham said: "The intention of the amendment is not to prevent legitimate religion debate. It aims to prevent the kind of communication we saw last football season when individuals were threatened with harm."

SNP committee member Humza Yousaf said: "I do not think anyone voted for a Labour MSP so they could sit on their hands on the issue of sectarianism."