Isla Bryson, a transgender woman convicted of double rape, was kept in an all-female jail before she was transferred to a male estate last month, drawing criticism from the Scottish government. While Sturgeon has also been criticized for SNP fundraising and her husband’s role in donating money to the party.
Nicola Sturgeon’s decision to resign as first minister is the result of several controversies that put pressure on the SNP leader.
Isla Bryson, a transsexual double rapist, was kept in an all-female jail for a month. Before being transferred to a male estate, sparking criticism of Ms. Sturgeon’s Scottish administration.
After being found guilty of sexually abusing two women, the 31-year-old was housed at Cornton Vale, near Stirling.
The case sparked debate regarding self-identification and the Scottish government’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Act, which was vetoed by the British government.
Scotland’s Justice Secretary, Keith Brown, requested an urgent assessment of the management of transgender prisoners in response to public backlash.
Although the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) decided that women were not at risk of harm during Bryson’s incarceration at Cornton Vale, the Scottish Conservatives labeled the study as a “whitewash summary” and demanded that the complete report be made public.
Russell Findlay, an MSP from the Conservative Party, stated, “We still have no understanding why a double rapist was put to a women’s prison or what role SNP ministers played in his removal after the public outrage.”
However, despite rising difficulties, the SNP has retained a commanding lead in the polls.
Concerns concerning the husband’s SNP loan
Recently, Ms. Sturgeon was also questioned about her husband’s £107,000 loan to the SNP.
What he does with his resources is his business,” she said.
During a press conference earlier this month, Ms. Sturgeon stated, “The resources he loaned to the party were his own.”
Mr. Murrell, the party’s executive director, made the loan in June 2021 to assist with “financial flow” following a Holyrood election campaign, it was revealed in December.
Douglas Chapman, a member of Parliament for the Scottish National Party (SNP), resigned as the party’s treasurer in May. Citing a lack of financial information as the reason for his departure.
It followed the resignations of three other members of the SNP’s finance and audit committee.
Police Scotland is also probing the whereabouts of an estimated £600,000 raised for a second independence vote by party activists.
The SNP has denied any improper conduct.
During Ms. Sturgeon’s news conference announcing her resignation, a journalist asked. “Have you been interviewed by the police who are investigating your party’s finances, or do you expect to be?”
The prime minister responded: “I will not disclose an active police inquiry. I wouldn’t do that in any situation, and I won’t do it now.”
Ms. Sturgeon has headed the party and the nation since 2014. When she succeeded Alex Salmond, giving her the longest-serving first minister since Holyrood’s devolution.
