‘Stop sex change ploy in rape trials’

THE SNP’s gender reform plans are facing a call for bail-like restrictions to be included in the new laws to prevent those charged with serious sex offences from changing gender during court proceedings.

Scottish Tory community safety spokesman Russell Findlay is demanding safeguards to ‘protect vulnerable women and girls’ and said the Bill must ‘address women’s concerns about sex offenders taking advantage of the new law’.

He added: ‘Such offenders are often extremely manipulative and devious and will stop at nothing to get access to victims, most often women and girls. It would be unforgivable for the Government to make that easier by allowing them to exploit their dangerous legislation.’

He has outlined an amendment which would stop anyone facing serious charges from applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) until their case is concluded. This would stop men charged with rape trying to change gender during the criminal process and being addressed as female in court.

Mr Findlay met Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison on Friday to discuss changes to the Bill.

He said: ‘The Minister told me that her Government is bringing forward changes to current legislation, separate from the self-ID Bill, that will require sex offenders to notify the police about a GRC application.

‘I do not have confidence proposed changes will properly address women’s concerns about sex offenders taking advantage of the new law.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We will consider any amendments that are tabled ahead of stage three of the Bill.’