15-07-2025
No disciplinary action after controversial police file linked gender critics to the Nazis
No one will be disciplined over a 'deeply offensive' Police Scotland document which compared feminist campaigners who oppose transgender policies to Nazis, the Mail can reveal.
The force was at the centre of a storm of criticism in May after staff were told that saying ' gender binary' - the belief there are only two genders - was a 'key feature' of the Nazis' ideology.
It was posted on the intranet by a police constable who did not need authorisation to do so at the time - but since then the force has tightened up the rules and requires permission to be given for 'self-authored' uploads.
Police Scotland refused to name the constable who uploaded the document - who is understood to have responsibility for liaising with gay and transgender employees.
But it has now emerged that no one faces disciplinary action over the incident - which came to light on the same day top brass held a private meeting with equality groups to discuss trans issues.
Last night Scottish Tory equalities spokesman Tess White said: 'This deeply offensive document should never have seen the light of day, and it's frankly astonishing that a police constable was able to upload it without a single senior figure stepping in.
'People with concerns about the SNP's radical gender self-ID plans shouldn't be attacked for standing up for common sense, so it's welcome that this document was removed.
'Police Scotland's procedures may have changed, but this shocking incident rightly raised concerns about attitudes within the force on this issue.'
Replying to a question under freedom of information laws, Police Scotland told the Mail 'there was no disciplinary process instigated'.
It added: ''The learning that was identified… has been appropriately highlighted and further additional governance has been put in place to ensure relevant authorisation prior to the circulation and internal publication of documents.
'When required, this also includes consultation with the Police Scotland Equality and Diversity Unit.'
Chief Constable Jo Farrell was 'not aware' of the material uploaded, as 'these documents are self-authored and for clarity are not overseen by the Chief Constable'.
There was 'no authorisation required at the time for the addition of self-authored documents to the intranet'.
The 'Nazi' document - which mirrors material from controversial LGBT group Stonewall – was placed on an intranet divisional noticeboard on May 27 and focused on 'Trans+ History Week' in May.
It states: 'At a time when anti-trans rhetoric is on the rise, we can send a clear message - trans people have always been here.
'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 how past hostilities arose and does it mean we have failed to understand the lessons from history?'
The document echoes Stonewall material which says Trans+ History Week is a date deliberately chosen as it is the anniversary of the Nazi raid on the world's first ever trans clinic in 1933.
Last month police were accused of 'pandering' to 'fringe activists' after backtracking on the 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'.
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.'
Last night Trina Budge of gender-critical group For Women Scotland said: 'Accountability at Police Scotland seems to be distinctly lacking.
'Publishing a document likening those of us who understand that there are only two sexes to Nazis was quite extraordinary.
'If no disciplinary action, nor even a public apology, results from this it does make us wonder how on earth women can have confidence in the police when 'sex' is shortly to be added to hate crime laws.'
A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'The content does not reflect the views of Police Scotland and has been removed.
'Advice will be given around the use of language.'
