Tommy Sheridan says he is 'victimised' by Glasgow council
He has challenged this decision at Scotland's highest civil court, the Court of Session.
Tommy told BBC Scotland News that his gender critical views on trans rights were a factor in the decision by the SNP-run council.
READ MORE: Tommy Sheridan refused social work job due to 'unacceptable risk', court hears
Sheridan, who completed a master's degree in social work at Glasgow Caledonian University, told BBC Scotland that he had "no doubt whatsoever" that he was being blacklisted by the council.
He said that this is because of his socialist background and his views on transgender issues, which he says conflict with those of the SNP-led council.
He said: "I don't think it chimes with the spirit of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act to hold against someone a 15-year-old conviction.
"Particularly when I've already had to go through a vetting process, a very stiff vetting process from the body that was set up to regulate social care."
Sheridan maintains that his "lived experience", including time in prison, makes him particularly suited to working in criminal justice youth social work.
He said: "I come from a very working-class background, brought up in a housing scheme, having been in and around jails for the best part of 20-odd years.
"I have intimate knowledge of the processes, challenges, and what prison is really like."
(Image: Newsquest) He also claimed his gender-critical beliefs—such as rejecting self-identification in favour of biological definitions—played a role in the decision: "I think being a socialist is always difficult for some of the SNP councillors, but I think the biggest area would be my gender critical views.
"I don't share the SNP's position that someone can declare that they're a man or a woman. I believe in biology, I believe in science, and so does the law now.
"It's very unusual that the Supreme Court agrees with me, but there you go. I agree with the Supreme Court.
"Now, those are gender critical views that Glasgow City Council SNP group don't agree with. So I've got no doubt in my mind that that's part of the package."
Sheridan's case is currently under consideration at the Court of Session, after he received a rejection letter in August 2024.
The court heard that Glasgow City Council deemed his past conviction an 'unacceptable level of risk' for a social work role.
His lawyer argued the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)—the body responsible for regulating the profession—had already approved him as a suitable candidate, making the council's position unlawful.
In response, the council's legal representative, Paul Reid KC, maintained the decision was within the local authority's rights as an employment matter and therefore not subject to judicial review.
Lord Young is expected to deliver a ruling in due course.
READ MORE: Tommy Sheridan to pursue legal action against Scottish council
Sheridan has announced plans to return to frontline politics, seeking selection as a candidate for the Alba Party in the next Scottish Parliament elections.
He added: "Why don't I go back into politics and start using the skills I have to communicate, to advocate, to try and promote independence.
"But also to rage against some of the injustices in our world just now, of which there are far too many."
Sheridan rose to prominence as an anti-Poll Tax campaigner, later becoming an MSP in 1999 for the Scottish Socialist Party, which he led during its peak years.
He was imprisoned in 2011 after being convicted of perjury related to a defamation case against the News of the World.
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: 'It is untrue to say that Mr Sheridan's views on trans rights had any bearing on this matter whatsoever.
"The hiring process is purely operational, and elected members play no role in selecting candidates for this kind of role.
"Furthermore, these assertions did not form any part of Mr Sheridan's case in court.'
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