logo
Nicola Sturgeon refuses to apologise for self-ID despite demand from Isla Bryson's mum

Nicola Sturgeon refuses to apologise for self-ID despite demand from Isla Bryson's mum

Daily Record09-05-2025

Speaking after the Supreme Court ruling in April, Bryson's mum Janet had told the Sunday Mail: "I think it is now time Ms Sturgeon apologised."
Nicola Sturgeon has refused to apologise for self-ID despite demand from Isla Bryson 's mum.
The former First Minister, who was instrumental in forcing controversial gender self-ID laws through Holyrood, finally broke her silence to say she did not need to say sorry following the Supreme Court judgement which ruled that only biology confirms a person's sex.

Sturgeon had faced calls to apologise, which were backed by Janet Bryson, who son was born Adam Graham but began to identify as a woman called Isla while awaiting trial for rape.

Bryson's case caused outrage after being sent to female jail Cornton Vale before Sturgeon, then first minister, announced a switch to all-male HMP Edinburgh.
The case fuelled outrage over the Gender Recognition Reform ­(Scotland) Bill and also contributed to the resignation of Sturgeon as FM.
However this week the former SNP leader said that while she accepted the Supreme Court 's ruling, she also warned that the manner in which it will be "translated into practice" could make "the lives of trans people almost unlivable".
She said she would be "very concerned" if interim advice issued by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) that only biological women can use female-only safe spaces "became the final guidance".
In April, speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mail, Janet, 65, said: "I'm pleased with the ruling which ends years of confusion over these new gender laws and now the rights of biological women are clear and protected.

"That has now been made clear but it should never have been questioned in the first place. But I think it is now time Ms Sturgeon apologised.
"So much time, money and energy has been spent trying to protect the rights of some but at the expense of biological women.
"You can say you are a woman all you want but I believe that is different to being biologically born a woman. With the case of my son, he was born a man. A piece of paper does not change that."

In April Britain's highest court ruled only two biological sexes - male and female, assigned at birth - can be recognised under the 2010 Equality Act. But they said trans people were still protected from discrimination by the act.
Lord Hodge, who read out the historic ruling, said: 'We counsel against reading this judgment. as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another it is not.'

After the ruling, author JK Rowling, who has been outspoken on gender issues, said: "In winning, they've protected the rights of women and girls across the UK."
Mum-of-three Janet has always refuted Bryson's claims he had wanted to be a girl from age four.
She said: "My son never expressed any wish that he wanted to be a girl, dressed in any other way or ever asked to be called by any other name than Adam growing up. Never once, at the age of four or at any other age."

Janet previously told the Sunday Mail: "I believe you have to be born female to be female. No wigs, dresses or amount of make-up makes you female."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

The landmark decision came after feminist group For Women Scotland (FWS) challenged the Scottish Government's 2018 ruling that transgender women could be included as female in laws requiring 50/50 representation on public boards.
Five justices unanimously ruled that having a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) does not change a person's sex in law.
FWS's legal challenge was put forward in 2022 over Scottish laws which said men who identify as women could take women-only roles on public company boards.

The Scottish Government introduced laws in 2018 to include people given the legal GRC document, which would allow them to use single-sex areas, including women's loos and changing rooms.
During the case, the Scottish Government argued in court that transgender people with a GRC are entitled to the same sex-based protections as biological women.
The interim EHRC advice states that "trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities" and vice versa, "as this will mean that they are no longer single-sex facilities."
The watchdog's final guidance is due to be published in the coming months.
Bryson, 33, was convicted of raping women while known as Graham in 2023 and jailed for eight years, with a further three on licence.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Police treating death of teenager missing for more than a month as unexplained
Police treating death of teenager missing for more than a month as unexplained

Sky News

timean hour ago

  • Sky News

Police treating death of teenager missing for more than a month as unexplained

The death of a teenager who went missing more than a month ago is being treated as unexplained, police have said. Extensive inquiries are being carried out following the discovery of a body in the search for Cole Cooper, 19, Police Scotland said. The teenager was last seen by a school friend on 7 May in the village of Longcroft near Falkirk, in central Scotland, when he asked a school friend for a lift, which he was not given. He was reported missing by his family on 9 May. A body was found around 4.15pm on Friday last week in a wooded area in Banknock, Falkirk, after a major search. Formal identification is yet to take place, but Mr Cooper's family have been informed and police said dedicated officers continue to support them. Mr Cooper was last seen on CCTV on 4 May in Longcroft and officers revisited the scene on 8 June and spoke to more than 150 people. Police said establishing his movements between Sunday 4 May and Wednesday 7 May is a priority for officers. Chief Inspector Alex Hatrick said: "Cole Cooper's disappearance and the circumstances leading up to it remain unexplained. "We remain in regular contact with the family to ensure they are kept up to date with all aspects of the investigation. "We will continue to support them and provide them with updates as our inquiries progress. "Extensive inquiries are ongoing to piece together Cole's last movements and find answers for his loved ones." Officers are examining more than 2,000 hours of CCTV footage and are continuing door-to-door inquiries in Longcroft and Banknock. 'Shattered hearts' In a statement posted on the Missing Person Cole Cooper group on social media, his family said they were "completely broken". "With shattered hearts, we share the devastating news that our beloved Cole, who was missing, has been found - but not in the way we hoped or prayed for," they said. "Our worst fears have become reality, and we are now living a nightmare we can't wake up from." They added: "Cole, you were our world - and now our world will never be the same. "Your life was only just beginning. The world didn't get to know the light you carried, but we did - and we will carry it with us, always."

Montana Supreme Court declares 2021 abortion restrictions unconstitutional
Montana Supreme Court declares 2021 abortion restrictions unconstitutional

The Independent

timean hour ago

  • The Independent

Montana Supreme Court declares 2021 abortion restrictions unconstitutional

Montana 's Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that struck down as unconstitutional several laws restricting abortion access, including a ban beyond 20 weeks of gestation. The measures approved by Republican lawmakers in 2021 had been blocked since a judge issued a preliminary injunction against them that year. While the case was pending, voters passed an initiative that enshrined the right to abortions in the Montana Constitution. Justices said in Monday's ruling that the state constitution included a 'right to be left alone" and have access to abortions. They said that right was not affected by a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and ended a half-century of nationwide abortion rights. The Montana laws also included a prohibition against telehealth prescriptions of abortion medication, a 24-hour waiting period after giving informed consent, and a requirement for providers to give patients the option of viewing an ultrasound or listening to the fetal heart tone. Planned Parenthood of Montana challenged the measures. Justices cited a 1999 Montana Supreme Court ruling that said the state constitution's right to privacy includes a woman's right to obtain an abortion before the fetus is viable from the provider of her choice. The state argued that the 1999 ruling was wrongly decided and has tried unsuccessfully on several occasions to get the Montana Supreme Court to overturn it. The Legislature in 2023 passed another slate of bills seeking to limit abortion access. Last year's initiative to make abortion a constitutional right in the state passed with backing from 58% of voters. An anti-abortion group called the Montana Family Foundation on Monday filed a lawsuit challenging the voter-approved initiative. The group claims voters who registered on Election Day were denied the chance to fully review the initiative because the ballot included only a summary. The full text was in a pamphlet mailed to registered voters.

Care reform Bill passes unanimously at Holyrood
Care reform Bill passes unanimously at Holyrood

The National

timean hour ago

  • The National

Care reform Bill passes unanimously at Holyrood

The Care Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed with the support of 116 MSPs on Tuesday and aims to bring forward a number of enhancements to social care. The Bill originally proposed the creation of a National Care Service but was scrapped after serious opposition from political parties, local authorities, and trade unions, despite around £30 million being spent on its development. However, Social Care Minister Maree Todd said the Government remained committed to the creation of a National Care Service. READ MORE: Controversial Loch Lomond Flamingo Land plans recalled by Scottish ministers The remaining provisions will implement changes to the existing care system, the biggest of which has been dubbed 'Anne's Law'. The change will allow family and friends to be named as 'essential care supporters' and require care homes to facilitate visits from them in all but the most extreme circumstances. The proposals grew from a Scottish Parliament petition by Natasha Hamilton, who was unable to visit her mother Anne Duke in her care home during the pandemic, ultimately missing her death. Speaking in Holyrood on Tuesday, Todd praised the work of campaigners for Anne's Law, some of whom were watching proceedings from the public gallery. (Image: Scottish Parliament) 'I have been profoundly impacted by the conversations that I have had with them,' she said. 'The emotional harm and trauma that they and their loved ones and many others suffered from being unable to see one another for such long, isolating periods during the pandemic must be acknowledged to make sure that this never happens again.' She added: Reform is not easy to deliver and it is being made more challenging by recent UK Government changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions and changes to migration. These will undoubtedly impact on care delivery. 'However, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to deliver the sustainable change to social care that people urgently need. 'This is a significant step that will strengthen the rights of people living in care homes, support unpaid carers and social workers and improve experiences for the many people who access social care across Scotland.' Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'The way we care for our most vulnerable is more important than party politics. 'That is why Scottish Labour committed to help the Scottish Government deliver such a service, but as I warned at the time, the devil would be in the detail.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store