Scottish charities have expressed disappointment over a law that could restrict charity campaigning.

Following the second reading of the transparency of lobbying bill at Westminster, John Downie, above, Director of Public Affairs, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said: "It's disappointing that the UK Government has ignored the concerns of the third sector and missed this chance to amend the Lobbying Bill.

"The ability of charities and to challenge government will be seriously threatened by this bureaucratic and poorly thought-out piece of legislation. The majority of campaigning activity by charities will still fall under this Bill. There shouldn't be any financial or bureaucratic barriers to the work of third sector organisations in representing the most vulnerable people in our communities."