The Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill promoted by Patrick Harvie MSP that will extend hate crime laws to cover disabled people as well as those in the LGBT communities has been passed at Holyrood.

"No one in Scotland should have a crime committed against them simply on the basis of disability or sexual orientation," said Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill.

"If it's shown that the motivation for an offence was hostility and ill-will based on sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability, that will now be taken into account and the sentence be able to reflect that. This Bill sends a clear message that prejudice, hatred and crime aimed at specific groups is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Patrick Harvie said that the Parliament had spoken with one voice.

"This is a day all Scots can be proud of," he said.

"At last, our courts will be required to hand down sentences for hate crimes against LGBT and disabled Scots that reflect the true nature of these crimes, just as they already can for offences motivated by racial or religious hatred. This legislation is a small but significant step in the right direction, but I personally will never be satisfied until these abhorrent crimes are a thing of the past altogether.

"I would also like to thank all those who have helped this Bill get onto the statute books, including those brave victims who have been prepared to come forward as well as a wide range of voluntary organisations, the police, and Scottish Ministers."