Good evening and welcome to the Independent Republic of Mike Graham with me, JJ and

Nisobi. You're with talk on TV, on radio, online and on your smart speaker.

Coming up, in Scotland, new hate crime laws come into effect today, despite widespread condemnation,

as critics say they could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech.

Its total Tory wipeout as a new poll reveals the Conservatives are on course for their worst-ever general election result. And the King has returned with an Easter walkabout telling well-wishers that he's

doing his best.

Good evening, Britain, and welcome to the Independent Republic of JJ and Nisiobe.

Mr. Graham is still away this week, so my reign as acting dictator continues,

and I've got a blockbuster of a show for you. First up, the Ginger Winger and his wife have been

named the Joke of Hollywood. We'll discuss Prince Harry and Megal Markle with Kinsey Schofield.

Plus find out why Rishi Sunak is in the doghouse with his own party over a new crime bill.

And the Queen of

Darkness, Mrs Sharon Osborne will be live here later in the show. This is the Independent

Republic. Let's get it on.

A controversial new law to tackle hate crime comes into effect in Scotland today, the Hate Crime and Public Order Act.

The bill piggybacks off of existing legislation on the offence of stirring up racial hatred,

extending it to the protected characteristics of disability, religion, sexual orientation, age and transgender identity.

And for anyone found to be committing a crime motivated by hatred

towards those characteristics, a harsher sentence will be given too. I'm joined now by former

political editor of the Sun, Trevor Kavanaugh. Trevor, good evening, mate. Does this bill

stifle freedom of speech? I think it might, JJ. It's not as if the police have got nothing else to do, is it?

Although they've abdicated recently, any intention of following up any minor crimes, as they

...