Harvie questions Scottish Parliament controversial campus rules
Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP has asked an Urgent Question to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) to hear their response to an open letter from MSPs and staff following the publication of new parliamentary campus rules that ban trans people from using gendered facilities.
The Presiding Officer received the open letter signed by 17 MSPs and over 30 staff, with the support of the Good Law Project. It calls on the SPCB to overturn their recent controversial decision to ban trans people from using gendered toilets in the Scottish Parliament.
In the chamber at Holyrood, Patrick Harvie MSP asked:
“To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what its response is to the open letter to the Presiding Officer, signed by cross-party MSPs and staff, regarding the interim position on the use of facilities in the Parliament building.”
Mr Harvie stated that Lord Sumption, a former Supreme Court judge, says the ruling has been misunderstood and that nobody is obliged to exclude trans women from public spaces based on this ruling.
Mr Harvie also asked for more than warm words like ‘inclusivity’ for those who have been made to feel unwelcome in their workplace, and assurance that nobody would be required to show paperwork if they are suspected of being transgender to use facilities.
Responding, SPCB member Christine Graham claimed that the Scottish Parliament wishes to remain an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who work and visit Holyrood. Ms Graham reiterated that the current response is based on interim guidance while they await further information from the EHRC.
Ms Graham also went on to say that use of the facilities will not be monitored by the Corporate Body, but that any complaints would be considered.
Speaking afterward, Mr Harvie said:
“The situation now seems even more confused than before. If the intention is to maintain an inclusive and welcoming environment, I have to say that has not been achieved. If the SPCB is saying the new rule will never be enforced, then they must accept that it’s for every individual to choose the facilities that they consider appropriate for them.
“I would urge the Parliamentary authorities to think again, and to return to clear and fully inclusive practices. But far more urgently, the UK Government must clarify the law to recognise the equality and human rights of trans and non-binary people, and face down the forces of prejudice which have been stirred up in recent years.”
