Kate Forbes single sex spaces

The Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Kate Forbes MSP, has said that she is “unequivocally” in favour of single-sex spaces as “a critical a part of how we protect women”.

Despite Forbes’ comments, which were made to The Herald, the Scottish government, of which she is a component, appears to carry a special view.

The issue of single-sex spaces has risen to prominence in Scotland in recent weeks due to an employment tribunal brought by a nurse against NHS Fife and a transgender doctor.

Sandie Peggie was suspended from her job after complaining that she was forced to get modified in front of Dr Upton, a biological male who identifies as a lady and was using the women’ changing rooms.

Both the Scottish First Minister and the Health Minister have sided with NHS Fife within the dispute. In addition, based on The Telegraph, guidance issued by the Scottish government referring to “trans staff” allows them to “use the facilities they feel most comfortable with”.

The Labour Party appear to have taken a more critical tone. Ian Murray, who serves as Keir Starmer’s Scottish Secretary, said the Scottish Government, which is run by the SNP, had “made an actual mess of this whole agenda” and may issue recent guidance.

Labour’s leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar, was also critical, saying, “If we’re going to stop falling into divisive culture-war politics, and we’re going to make progress as a nation, now we have got to say, quite clearly, we support single-sex spaces based on biological sex.”

Forbes ran for the leadership of the SNP in 2023, following the resignation of then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. Forbes, a member of the Free Church of Scotland, was heavily criticised for her opposition to gay marriage, prompting some in her party to withdraw their support from her.

Forbes was defeated within the election by Humza Yousaf, who served as First Minister for just over a yr before being succeed by John Swinney.