Scottish Government told to 'apply the law' over single-sex spaces

THE Scottish Government and its public bodies face the threat of further legal action if it continues to allow men into single-sex female spaces.

- By David Walker

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has sent fresh guidance to the UK Government's Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson following the Supreme Court ruling.

John Swinney already faces court proceedings, if he refuses to rip up current trans guidance which allows people to utilise whatever facilities they “feel comfortable” using.

Campaign group For Women Scotland gave the First Minister a deadline of yesterday to respond to this threat.

There are still biological men in women’s prisons despite the judges ruling that biological sex is the only definition of women.

Schools and other public institutions also follow gender self-identification rules, despite this being unlawful.

Dithering

The EHRC guidance warns that women could sue organisations for harassment, if they allow trans women into single-sex spaces.

That has already happened, with nurse Sandie Peggie locked in an employment tribunal with NHS Fife after being forced to share a changing room with biologically male Dr Beth Upton.

Mr Swinney has repeatedly insisted he is waiting for the new guidelines to be published before making any changes to public body rules. But he has been criticised over this inaction and told he must listen to the law which was clarified by the highest court in the land.