ALBA have written to the First Minister to report Lorna Slater for "breaching the ministerial code" by criticising people with "anti-trans views".
In an interview with the Herald on Sunday, the Greens minister compared the “hideous” wider trans debate in the UK to “ridiculous bathroom laws” in America, which have seen transgender people banned from using facilities corresponding to their gender identity.
She also criticised the media’s approach to discussion of trans rights, suggesting it’s not right to see the conversation as a topic requiring “balance”, and alleged funding had come from the American right-wing to fuel attacks on the UK's trans community.
"We wouldn't put balance on the question of racism or antisemitism, but we allow this fictional notion of balance when it comes to anti-trans [views]. The whole thing is disgusting," Slater told the newspaper.
Critics accused Slater of comparing women right's campaigners to antisemites directly, with some on Twitter even saying they'd report the minister to police alleging "hate speech" in her comments.
Now Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, chair of Alex Salmond's Alba party, has written to Nicola Sturgeon to raise what she calls "serious concerns" over Slater's conduct and asked the FM to "treat this as a formal complaint under the terms of the ministerial code".
The letter states: "In an interview with The Herald on Sunday, Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Bio-diversity equated critics of your government's plans to reform gender recognition law, to racists and anti-semites.
"It is inappropriate in terms of the Ministerial Code to disrespect those holding these beliefs by equating us with racists or anti-semites.
"Scottish Government ministers are expected to maintain high standards of behaviour and to behave in a way that upholds the highest standards of propriety. They should be professional in all their dealings and treat all those with whom they come into contact with consideration and respect.
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"Ms Slater’s remarks are also completely at odds with the Cabinet Secretary’s claims that this debate would be conducted in a “respectful” and “civilised” manner.
"Behaviour which falls short of these standards, wherever it takes place, is not consistent with the Ministerial Code. The slight by Ms Slater on women across Scotland is a breach of the Code as she has failed to uphold the above standards."
The Scottish Government is looking to allow transgender Scots to self-identify as their acquired gender as part of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) reform.
The bill seeks to reduce the time a trans person would have to live in their acquired gender from two years to three months, followed by another three-month reflection period.
While Slater did not explicitly refer to GRA critics in the interview, she faced a backlash from those opposed to GRA reform including Tory MSP Brian Whittle who said she should be removed from her post.
Solidarity with @lornaslater today. One of the clearest thinkers on human rights I know. #TransRightsAreHumanRights 💚🏳️⚧️
— Sian Berry (@sianberry) April 11, 2022
She has also received support from the likes of Sian Berry, co-leader of the Greens in England, and candidates standing for the Scottish Greens in the local election.
Berry said on Twitter: "Solidarity with @lornaslater today. One of the clearest thinkers on human rights I know #transrightsarehumanrights."
Guy Ingerson, a Green candidate in Aberdeen, added: "Solidarity with @lornaslater who is being attacked by politicians, hate activists and media figures for the crime of being honest.
"Greens will not tolerate bigotry. That's our position. Full stop."
Solidarity with @LornaSlater who is being attacked by politicians, hate activists, and media figures for the crime of being honest.
— Guy Ingerson (@guy_ingerson) April 11, 2022
Greens will not tolerate bigotry. That’s our position. Full stop. #TransRightsAreHumanRights #BanConversionTherapy
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: "The aim of this government is to ensure that trans people in Scotland enjoy equality and feel safe and accepted for who they are.
"We appreciate the range of strongly held views on the Gender Recognition Act and have always been keen to seek consensus where possible and to work to support respectful debate.
"We are committed to making changes ... to improve and simplify the process for a trans person to gain legal recognition."
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