A CAMPAIGN has been launched in Glasgow to tackle 'anti-Irish and anti-Catholic' hate crime.

A public meeting was held tonight at St Anne's Primary School in the city's East End as part of the  'Call it Out' campaign.

Members of the public were invited to attend if they have experienced 'anti-Irish racism or anti-Catholic bigotry.'

Earlier this year MSP Elaine Smith called for anti-Catholicism to be given the same prominence as that given to Islamophobia and anti-semitism, echoing concerns with the Catholic Church.

Glasgow Times:

A spokesperson for the Call It Out campaign said: "There has been a long-standing blight on life in Scotland: that of documented, and much less documented,  manifestations and experiences of ethnic and religious bigotry, hate crime and inequality faced by Catholics and the Irish community in Scotland.

"This multi-generational Irish community, which mainly but not exclusively intersects with the Catholic community,  remains one of the few ethnic/religious groups without an organised and co-ordinated voice with which to speak to all levels of government and to highlight such bigotry and discrimination.

"This initiative is the first step in creating such an organisation so that we have a vehicle to engage constructively on both these matters."

Scottish Labour’s inequality spokeswoman said Roman Catholics need more protection to combat a rise in hate crime in Scotland, after figures showed they are targeted more than all other religious groups combined.

The Scottish Catholic Observer reported that Justice Secretary, Humza Yousaf would give  ‘full consideration’ to the group hosting tonight's meeting.