Swinney Defends SNP's Gender Policy Amid Court Ruling

0:00Europe news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters across Europe. I'm Cory with the story. Scotland's first minister, John Swinney, says his government fully followed a key Supreme Court ruling from April 2025 on sex and gender. Definitions. That decision clarified that terms like Woman and Sex in the 2010 Equality Act mean biological woman and biological sex. But tensions are high inside his own Scottish national party as they gear up for the May 7th Holy Root election. Earlier this week, the SNP dropped their election manifesto, which critics say dodges the Court's guidance on protecting single sex spaces. Swinney unveiled a campaign battle bus in Dundee and doubled down, telling reporters he satisfied they've taken all needed steps to comply. Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry, who left the party last year, blasted Swinney as too scared to push back against party pressure. He called herself a shame to have been a member and accused them of planning to sidestep the law.

1:00Swinney pushed back, stressing the government always operates within legal bounds. He noted some parts of the issue, like transgender prisoners and women's jails, face ongoing court fights from group for women's colon so he can weigh in. As the election heats up, this rift highlights deep divides and Scottish politics over gender issues, with Swinney betting voters see his side as the steady hands steering by the rules.