Nicola Sturgeon’s Westminster chief, Ian Blackford, has criticised the appointment of a man to a landmark period dignity officer job in Tayside.
Dundee man Jason Grant’s appointment to the role aimed at fighting period poverty in the region sparked a backlash.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova slammed the decision to give him the job in a heated social media reaction.
The new dignity officer role was created after Scotland became the first country in the world to enshrine free period products into law earlier this week.
Mr Grant is the first person in Scotland to have been appointed to the pioneering position.
He will work within a project team that covers Dundee City Council, Perth College, Dundee and Angus College, and Angus Council.
But speaking on Sky News this morning, Mr Blackford said it would be “far better” for a woman to have got the job.
‘Priority for women’
He said: “I think it’s important that we get the policy right, I think it’s important that we implement it, and I would have thought as a principle it would be far better that women are in these posts than anyone else.
“It’s a policy that we should all be proud of, the steps that have been taken. I think at the end of the day, I think there should be a priority having women in place in these posts.
“I’m not aware of the circumstances in Dundee Council, but of course there has to be equality when it comes to employment legislation, but first and foremost these should be posts that should be ideally taken up by women.”
The women behind Mr Grant’s appointment have defended the decision.
But former tennis star Ms Navratilova said: “This is just f***ing ridiculous.”
She later added: “Have we ever tried to explain to men how to shave or how to take care of their prostate or whatever?!?
“This is absurd.”
Mr Grant revealed he is “absolutely buzzing” to take on the role.
‘Pioneering job’
He said: “It’s definitely pioneering as Scotland is the first to do this.
“It’s about making people aware of the availability of period products for anyone of any gender, whenever they need it.
“We’re going to deliver that message with education in mind, so there’s a new video being produced to be rolled out in schools in Tayside.
“And it’s important whatever we do is done with dignity, so people know that there’s no judgement.”
The Period Products Act was approved unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in 2020.
The legislation was originally proposed by Labour MSP Monica Lennon who said she was “proud” to see it come into force.
Women behind appointment of Tayside man Jason Grant as period dignity officer defend their decision