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EXCLUSIVE: Nicola Sturgeon confronted by lawyer in gender row at Dundee Book Festival

Activist Bryndís Blackadder told the former first minister her opposition to gender reforms inspired her to retrain in law.

Nicola Sturgeon was confronted at a Dundee Book Festival event.
Nicola Sturgeon was confronted at a Dundee Book Festival event.

A lawyer opposed to SNP gender reforms dramatically accused Nicola Sturgeon of trying to “diminish women” during a public event at a Witches of Scotland Dundee Book Festival event.

Campaigner Bryndis Blackadder was met with jeers by the audience at Steps Theatre on Saturday after she confronted the former first minister.

Ms Blackadder told the ex-SNP leader her anger against controversial trans laws – which were later blocked – inspired her to do a law degree.

“Thanks for shining a light on the persecution of women throughout history,” Ms Blackadder said when she was called to ask her question.

“I’ve spent years being called a witch for fighting for women’s rights.

“I do not understand how you can sit here and have the cognitive dissonance of trying to diminish women in legislation.”

Lawyer Bryndis Blackadder.

At this point she faced jeers from some members of the audience.

In response, Ms Sturgeon said she would fight for groups in society who are stigmatised “for as long as I have breath in my body”.

Her remarks were met with cheers and applause from the crowd.

“Don’t give into people who want to divide and rule,” she added around a minute later.

Ms Sturgeon joined Dundee campaigners Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell KC at the launch of their book about the history of women in Scotland who were accused of witchcraft.

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Ms Blackadder told The Courier she felt “compelled” to ask a question about Ms Sturgeon’s trans policies after listening to discussion about the persecution of women.

The legal consultant feels there are “drastic parallels” between women who were accused of witchcraft and women who are gender critical.

“I did go expecting to ask a question,” she said.

“I am genuinely interested in the history of Scottish witches and the persecution of Scottish women. I think I was polite.

“The reaction of her and the audience wasn’t necessarily surprising, but it is still disturbing.

“Witches were persecuted as females.

“How can you be talking about women, women, women, and saying that a man is a woman if he says so?

“I’m familiar with being the hated person in the room.”

Trans law row

The SNP’s proposed laws – which were passed in Holyrood in 2022 – would have made it easier for trans men and women to self-identity.

Critics claimed the new laws would threaten women’s rights by infringing on single-sex spaces.

High-profile opponents of the reforms included Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

The laws were later struck down by Westminster.

In April, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex for the purposes of the equality act.

The debate over single-sex spaces has been at the heart of an ongoing employment tribunal involving NHS Fife.

Kirkcaldy nurse Sandie Peggie is suing NHS Fife
Fife nurse Sandie Peggie. Image: Alan Richardson/DC Thomson.

Kirkcaldy nurse Sandie Peggie is suing her employer after she was suspended following a changing room row with trans doctor Beth Upton.

Ms Blackadder told The Courier she felt she needed to have the “courage” to speak out given witches who were persecuted faced much worse.

“I’m hopefully not going to be burnt at the stake,” she said.

Conversation