This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1meyvpl30eo

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Green MSP Maggie Chapman survives bid to remove her from committee Green MSP Maggie Chapman survives bid to oust her from committee
(32 minutes later)
Maggie Chapman criticised the judiciary after the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a womanMaggie Chapman criticised the judiciary after the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman
The Scottish Conservatives have failed in a bid to oust Green MSP Maggie Chapman from Holyrood's equalities committee after she criticised the judiciary over a judgement on the definition of a woman. Green MSP Maggie Chapman has survived a bid to oust her from Holyrood's equalities committee after she criticised the judiciary over a judgement on the definition of a woman.
Chapman – the committee's deputy convener – accused the court of "bigotry, prejudice and hatred" after it ruled a woman is defined by her biological sex under the Equality Act.Chapman – the committee's deputy convener – accused the court of "bigotry, prejudice and hatred" after it ruled a woman is defined by her biological sex under the Equality Act.
Those comments were described as "reprehensible" by the dean of the faculty of advocates and sparked a Tory attempt to remove the Green MSP from the committee.Those comments were described as "reprehensible" by the dean of the faculty of advocates and sparked a Tory attempt to remove the Green MSP from the committee.
The motion was rejected by committee members by four votes to three. The motion was rejected by committee members by four votes to three after SNP MSPs sided with Chapman.
Three SNP members, as well as Chapman, voted against the motion. Two Conservatives and one Labour member voted in favour. Two Conservatives and one Labour member voted in favour.
The UK's highest court ruled two weeks ago that "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 "refer to a biological woman and biological sex".The UK's highest court ruled two weeks ago that "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 "refer to a biological woman and biological sex".
Chapman hit out at the judiciary at a transgender rights rally in Aberdeen the following weekend. The Green MSP subsequently said she stood by her comments, and that it was her role to "stand up and represent trans people". Chapman hit out at the judiciary at a transgender rights rally in Aberdeen the following weekend. The Green MSP subsequently said she stood by her comments.
The dean of the faculty of advocates, Roddy Dunlop KC, said Chapman should consider her role as deputy convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee at Holyrood as her remarks conflicted with Holyrood guidance on impartiality. The dean of the faculty of advocates, Roddy Dunlop KC, said Chapman should consider her role as deputy convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee as her remarks conflicted with Holyrood guidance on impartiality.
'Dangerous and incendiary''Dangerous and incendiary'
Committee member and Conservative MSP Tess White lodged a motion to remove Chapman.Committee member and Conservative MSP Tess White lodged a motion to remove Chapman.
She described the Green member's remarks as "dangerous and incendiary". Addressing the committee ahead of the vote, she described the Green member's remarks as "dangerous and incendiary".
White claimed Chapman had failed to uphold the independence of the judiciary and that her position on the committee had become "untenable".White claimed Chapman had failed to uphold the independence of the judiciary and that her position on the committee had become "untenable".
Labour MSP Paul O'Kane asked Chapman to withdraw her remarks, state her respect for the rule of law and independence of the judiciary "without qualification" and acknowledge the concerns of the dean of the faculty of advocates.
He said that was needed for the public to retain confidence in the committee's role, particularly relating to civil justice.
Chapman said she respected the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, and had never questioned the Supreme Court's right to make a ruling on any matter.Chapman said she respected the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, and had never questioned the Supreme Court's right to make a ruling on any matter.
She said it was her job to "stand up" for her constituents and that she would not stop being a "vocal trans ally".She said it was her job to "stand up" for her constituents and that she would not stop being a "vocal trans ally".
SNP MSP Marie McNair said members could not control what colleagues said in their personal capacity and that she did not consider it a matter for the committee to decide.
Transgender rights activists have held demonstrations since the Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court ruling was accepted by the Scottish government, with First Minister John Swinney saying Chapman's comments were "wrong".The Supreme Court ruling was accepted by the Scottish government, with First Minister John Swinney saying Chapman's comments were "wrong".
He has called for public bodies to wait for full guidance from the UK's equality watchdog before making changes to policy on single-sex spaces.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued interim guidance on Friday in the wake of the Supreme Court judgement.
The body is expected to provide full guidance in the summer, but its interim release said trans women should not be permitted to use women's facilities in areas such as hospitals, shops and restaurants.
The equalities committee vote came as the UK's only ever judge to publicly say they are transgender announced plans to launch legal action over the Supreme Court ruling.
Dr Victoria McCloud, who stepped down from court last year, said the judgement and interim EHRC guidance violated her human rights.
Dr McCloud said she intends to take the UK government to the European Court of Human Rights.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the Supreme Court ruling gave "much-needed clarity" for those drawing up guidance.