9 hours ago
Cops pledge 'it won't happen again' after Nazi gender storm
Police chiefs have been accused of 'pandering' to 'fringe activists' after backtracking on comments comparing gender-critical campaigners to Nazis.
Top brass insisted the internal document drawing the 'Nazi' analogy was 'immediately withdrawn' and measures had been put in place to 'ensure it does not happen again'.
The Mail revealed last month that officers were told ' gender binary' – the belief that there are only two genders – was a 'key feature' of the Nazis' ideology.
It is understood the document was written by a police officer or member of civilian staff with responsibility for liaising with gay and transgender employees.
Last night, Scottish Tory equalities spokesman Tess White said: 'It's disgusting such outrageous language made it into an official Police Scotland document.
'Claiming additional governance has been put in place now is no comfort to those who were smeared for standing up for basic common sense.
'SNP ministers need to get a grip and stop public bodies pandering to fringe gender activists who keep pushing self-ID.' Ms White wrote to Police Scotland demanding an explanation after the Mail disclosed the 'Nazi' document.
In his reply, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: 'I can confirm this document was immediately withdrawn from circulation and does not represent the views of Police Scotland.
'Police Scotland drives continual cultural improvement through engagement with diverse communities to ensure we tackle discriminatory behaviours.
'Additional governance has been put in place prior to the circulation and internal publication of documents. When required, this also includes consultation with the Police Scotland equality and diversity unit.
'I trust this provides you with reassurance that this matter was quickly addressed and measures put in place to ensure that it does not happen again.'
The document at the centre of the row – which mirrors material from controversial LGBT group Stonewall – focused on last month's 'Trans+ History Week'.
It states: 'This week was founded in recognition of the anniversary of the Nazi raid on the world's first ever trans clinic in 1933.
'Books were burned as part of the Nazis' targeting of queer communities. Gender binary was a key feature of the Nazi racist policies.
'Right now, the gender critical movement has a strong voice. Is this movement an echo of past hostilities and does it mean we have failed to understand the lessons from history?'
Last month former Police Scotland superintendent Martin Gallagher said: 'This is what happens when the police get involved in contested political issues.
'Police neutrality existed for a reason – the sooner it returns the better.'
Dr Stuart Waiton, a sociologist at Abertay University in Dundee, said: 'Transgender activists are inclined to use hyperbolic statements.
'This one that attempts to associate today's gender critics with Nazi Germany is a particularly embarrassing example.'
