Almost £1 million spent by Scot Govt in defence of trans policies

The Scottish Government has spent almost one million pounds of taxpayers’ money in legal battles defending its pro-trans agenda.

A freedom of information request by the Sunday Mail found that John Swinney’s Government spent significant sums across three high-profile cases, including its claim that it was within its rights to permit men to take women-only positions on company boards, and in support of Scottish Prison Service guidance that allowed gender confused men to be housed in women’s prisons.

Now the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC), a Government-funded public body, faces legal action over allegations that it discriminated against one of its executives because of her gender-critical views.

‘Waste of money’

Susan Smith, Co-Director of For Women Scotland, said: “The public will be horrified by the waste of money spent to defend the ludicrous idea men, including some of the most dangerous men in Scotland, can transform into women and access women’s spaces”.

Equalities spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservatives, Meghan Gallacher, commented: “It’s outrageous the SNP have blown this eye-watering sum of taxpayers’ money pursuing their obsession with gender ideology through the courts”.

Labour MSP Michael Marra added: “Faced with defeat, John Swinney would rather blow £1 million of public cash trying to save face than accept his Government’s position was untenable.

“The waste needs to end. We need public interest tests in the ministerial code so that taxpayers do not pick up the bill for political damage limitation.”

Discrimination

Claire Methven O’Brien, a civil liberties expert, alleges she was “discriminated against and harassed for holding gender-critical beliefs” by the SHRC over her views on the Sandie Peggie case.

For Women Scotland said that O’Brien was the only member of the SHRC “who has spoken up publicly for women”.

It explained: “We hoped that the commission would listen to Claire as a voice of reason, but if a human rights commission is discriminating against a woman because she promotes women’s rights, they are probably too far gone and unfit for purpose.”

Organisations in denial

Times columnist Alex Massie described the details of O’Brien’s case as “extraordinary” and “unprecedented”. He observed: “the SHRC is accused of unlawfully discriminating against one of its own commissioners on the basis of her beliefs which are not only protected in law but, rather importantly, also wholly consistent with the law”.

He stated: “Gender-slop has held sway for more than a decade and, like asbestos, removing it takes time.

“’Follow the law’ ought not to be such a complicated business but here we are. Those organisations still in denial are liable to discover that the law is a righteously stern and unforgiving mistress. So be it.”

The employment tribunal is not expected to be heard until next year.