The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a ban on hijabs or other veils, ministers have said.

Equalities Secretary Angela Constance said while the government respects the European Court of Justice ruling making it legal for firms to ban workers for wearing the religious headscarf, there are no proposals for it to become law in Scotland.

Speaking in Edinburgh at an event to mark a year since the launch of the Race Equality Framework for Scotland, she said: "Everyone has the right to live their lives free from racism and prejudice.

"So while the Scottish Government respects the European Court of Justice ruling that companies can ban employees from wearing the Islamic headscarf, we regard the matter of wearing the hijab, or any other veil, as a matter of individual conscience and choice.

"I am happy to confirm that we have no plans to introduce any legislation which will have the effect of restricting the wearing of the hijab or any other veil."

Ms Constance said the focus should be on employment as a "major issue" for minority ethnic communities.

She said: "There is a 15.1 percentage point gap in employment rates for minority ethnic communities and we know that there are significant issues with regard to occupational segregation, pay, discrimination and negative experiences at work, including racial harassment in the workplace.

"This is unacceptable and must be addressed."

She pledged to invest in a programme to support the development of minority ethnic social enterprise, to hold a summit on employment and enterprise for this community in 2018 and create a workplace equality fund focusing on race and disability.

The Almond Valley MSP she was "shocked" by the spike in hate crimes following the EU referendum and warned against complacency.

She said: "It matters now more than ever that we send a clear message that xenophobia and intolerance are completely unacceptable.

"We must stand firm against intolerance and racism; assert the values of respect and dignity and stand up in defence of equality and human rights."