Glasgow MSPs - Sandesh Gulhane
Dr Sandesh Gulhane is the first Glasgow MSP to respond to my letter sent earlier today about Police Scotland, Complaints Handling and Freedom of Speech.
I've thanked Sandesh for his speedy response and asked him to keep me posted on any developments at Holyrood - here's what he had to say:
Dear Mr Irvine
Thank you for your email. I understand that one of my parliamentary colleagues has submitted a question on this topic for Topical Questions tomorrow afternoon.
There is no guarantee that the question will be selected, but I will be happy to share the response of the Scottish Government minister to the question, if indeed it is raised tomorrow.
Kind regards,
Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP
Glasgow Region
Police Scotland, Complaint Handling and Freedom of Speech (January 31, 2022)
I have just written to the 8 MSPs who represent my part of Glasgow - let's hope I receive 8 considered replies along with some decisive action in the Scottish Parliament.
Dear MSP
Police Scotland, Complaint Handling and Freedom of Speech
I am one of your Glasgow constituents and I am sure you are aware of the furore surrounding the treatment of Nicola Murray from Brodie's Trust at the hands of Police Scotland.
Nicola was reported for a 'hate crime' after announcing that Brodie's Trust would no longer refer women to Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) following some highly controversial, ill-judged comments from ERCC's chief executive, Mridul Wadhwa.
Incredibly, two detectives from Police Scotland arrived at Nicola Murray's door, unannounced, to question her about the 'thinking' behind the Brodie's Trust online statement which read as follows:
“Due to deeply concerning comments made by the current CEO of ERCC we have taken the decision to no longer signpost to this service. We cannot in all conscience send vulnerable women to the service in its current state.”
"Empathy, Trust and Victim focused service is at the heat of what we stand for and we have no interest in our clients religion, sexuality nor political views. Our purpose in post trauma services is to see our clients through the most difficult circumstances with compassion. It's heartbreaking to see what was once an exceptional service fail clients in this way.
"We remain a female only service, run by women for women and will not be intimidated into changing our stance on this matter, considering out support group is for those who've experiences pregnancy and loss through domestic abuse.”
I hope you agree Police Scotland's handling of this matter is appalling, intimidatory and misogynistic - and left unchallenged this is bound to have a chilling effect on freedom of speech.
I think it is also important to point out that Nicola Murray's perfectly reasonable statement is protected under the Equality Act 2010 - so what in heavens name did Police Scotland think it was doing?
I would be grateful if you will consider raising this matter on the floor of the Scottish Parliament, because the treatment of Nicola Murray and Brodie's Trust is completely contrary to assurances given by the Scottish Government during the passage of its Hate Crime Bill.
I look forward to your reply.
Kind regards
Mark Irvine
Glasgow MSPs - Dr Sandesh Gulhane (November 23, 2021)
So 10 out of 10 for the speed of the reply, but his stance on the issue seems sensible and I am encouraged by what Sandesh has to say about protecting women's rights.
Because there is a conflict of rights to resolve here on the basis that trans rights do not automatically trump the rights of women and girls to single sex spaces as per the Equality Act 2010.
Dear Mr Irvine
Glasgow MSPs and GRA
Thank you for contacting me about the proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act.
A recent consultation on this legislation showed that four in ten organisations did not support the proposed reforms, which include reducing the time it takes for people to legally change their gender from two years to three months, and allowing people aged 16 and above to apply to change their gender.
These consultation responses confirm what we already knew – this is a sensitive topic and opinions are firmly split. We must protect women’s rights and take concerns that those rights are being eroded very seriously. For now, we await the details of this legislation and stand ready to scrutinise each aspect of it.
The Scottish Conservatives will not stand by and allow this SNP-Green Government to push this legislation through Parliament without all parties’ concerns receiving due consideration. There must be a full and informed debate on this issue and that this can only truly be done once we see what legislation is being brought forward.
Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me on this issue.
Kind regards,
Dr Sandesh Gulhane
MSP
Glasgow Region
Glasgow Region
Dear Sandesh Gulhane
Consultation on Potential Changes to the Gender Recognition Act
I am a resident of Glasgow and I am contacting my local constituency MSP and regional MSPs regarding potential changes to the Gender Recognition Act.
I am very concerned at the Scottish Government's plans to amend the Gender Recognition Act which reportedly includes the following suggestions:
- Reducing the requirement for those wishing to be recognised as a different gender to have lived in their acquired gender from 2 years to 3 months prior to submitting an application, and for a 3-month reflection period after application.
- Changing the age at which an application for legal gender recognition can be made from 18 to 16 without parental consent.
- Removing the need for a gender dysphoria diagnosis.
In my view, these proposals are highly dangerous and mean that vulnerable children will inevitably will be encouraged down a path which leads to lifelong medical interventions, sterilisation and, for many, regret.
The proposals will also result in intact biological males, who have not been assessed by medical experts, being able to access women’s single sex spaces which is especially worrying in situations where vulnerable women cannot just choose to leave, e.g. prisons, psychiatric wards and hospitals.
As such these proposals are an attempt to subvert biology and the sex-based rights of women and girls.
Safeguarding is not about pointing the finger at particular groups, but about preventing harm before it can take place and, in my view, these suggestions disregard safeguarding principles and put women and especially children at risk.
For example, it seems absurd to me that it is unlawful for under 18-year-olds to consume alcohol, yet Scottish Ministers are considering that children should be able to decide upon irreversible changes to their still developing bodies (emotionally and physically) without parental guidance or proper medical oversight.
As one of your constituents, I am asking you to vote against any Gender Recognition Reform that removes a gender dysphoria diagnosis by medical professionals, and that allows children to make potentially irreversible changes to their bodies without the due time, exploration of all potential issues and parental guidance, that would allow them to fully understand the long-term implications.
In doing so, you will provide reassurance to the women and girls who rely on single-sex spaces and protections, and parents of children who are questioning their identity.
I look forward to your reply
Kind regards
Mark Irvine
