Scottish MP Natalie Don has sought speedy legal pardons for all people executed over witchcraft under a historic law.
The Scottish National Party politician said on Thursday that failures to administer justice posthumously to the victims of Witchcraft Act 1563 and thereby create awareness would “prolong misogyny”.
Don, who spoke before the launch of a Holyrood member’s bill, said, “the only way we can move forward in terms of where we are with misogyny and prejudice in society is by fixing these injustices of our past.”
Some 4,000 people were accused of witchcraft and more than 2,500 were executed, four-fifths of them women, according to an estimate.
They were mostly strangled and then burned, after making confessions that were often extracted under torture.
The 1563 law approved capital punishment for those guilty of witchcraft and was in force until 1736.
Witch hunts were also promoted by Scotland's King James VI.
Don said, “specific kinds of women that were targeted, generally because they were a little bit different, they were poor, they were outcasts. We still see that in the modern-day, although it’s maybe not the same characteristics – where women who do choose to be different or independent feel men’s anger.”
She had previously said people were still accused and punished for practising witchcraft in several countries across the world and Scotland should lead the way in acknowledging the horrors of the past and ensure that these people did not go down in history as criminals.
Campaign group Witches of Scotland welcomed the launch of the bill, with its founder Claire Mitchell saying, “this is a way for people in the 21st century to acknowledge and to have their say in pardoning those who suffered the gravest miscarriage of justice centuries before.”
According to the group, people accused of witchcraft were locked up awaiting trial and tortured to confess. Torture in Scotland was usually by way of sleep deprivation – keeping people awake until they confessed.
Often these torture methods were carried out in public. Torture by crushing and pulling out nails was also used, it said.
Scottish MP launches consultation on bill to pardon thousands of 'witches' convicted centuries ago
More than 2,500 people were executed under the 1563 law and four-fifths of them were women, according to an estimate
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)