COMPLAINTS about an anti-gender recognition reform protester who “flashed” MSPs from the public gallery at Holyrood are being investigated by Police Scotland, the force has confirmed.
Protesters heckled MSPs over the controversial Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which was approved overwhelmingly at its final stage in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, with one woman exposing herself while wearing a merkin – a pubic wig – which covered her genitals.
She was not arrested at the time and police have subsequently received complaints about the incident.
The woman was filmed at the time shouting: “If you are not going to be decent, I am going to be indecent.”
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A police spokesperson said on Monday: “We have received complaints and enquiries are ongoing.”
The bill – which is yet to be formally signed off by the King – makes it easier for people to change their gender on legal documents.
Supporters said it would make life easier for trans people who currently have to undergo medical assessment which many describe as humiliating, while opponents say it opens the door for predatory men to access single-sex spaces.
The bill received cross-party support, but the votes saw a notable rebellion within the government, with nine SNP MSPs refusing to back the legislation.
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The UK Government has also indicated it could act to block the legislation before it moves to get royal assent.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said his government would examine the bill, and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack suggested ministers could make an order to the King recommending he does not sign it into law.
The SNP have said these suggestions are an attack on the devolution settlement.
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