Silence of the SNP’s women ‘is surprising’
Speak out, critics urge, as ex-leader Salmond faces sexual harassment claims
FEMALE SNP politicians have been criticised for failing to condemn Alex Salmond’s response to sexual misconduct allegations. Women’s groups have raised concerns his crowdfunding campaign for a legal action against the Scottish Government could deter others from coming forward with complaints.
Aside from Nicola Sturgeon, most female MSPs and MPs in the SNP have remained silent – while the party’s women and equalities convener, ex-MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, shared Mr Salmond’s resignation statement and donations appeal on Twitter.
Labour MSP Jenny Marra said it was ‘surprising’ SNP women had not spoken out. She added: ‘This is an alleged abuse of power. It is a women’s issue and it is of concern to all women. I would expect women from all parties and all walks of life to be concerned.’
On Friday, Miss Sturgeon said: ‘How we are seen to respond to this will say a lot about who we are as a party and also about the country we are today and want to build for the future.
‘I believe in a Scotland where there is equality before the law, where there’s not one rule for the powerful and another rule for everyone else – and where all parties get fair and due process.
‘Let’s not forget that at the heart of this, amid all the focus on process, politics and personalities, there are two people who have brought forward complaints, which cannot have been at all easy to do.
‘I want to be not just the First Minister, but a citizen of a country where people feel they can come forward and know their complaints will be taken seriously. ’
The Mail approached dozens of female SNP politicians.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville shared concerns raised by Miss Sturgeon that women must be encouraged to come forward with complaints, whoever they are about.
But others – including Jenny Gilruth, Mairi Gougeon, Shona Robison, Angela Constance, Deidre Brock, Christina McKelvie, Christine Grahame and Joan McAlpine – refused to discuss the impact Mr Salmond’s response could have on women coming forward.
Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley said: ‘People wonder why women don’t report sexual harassment – events of the past few days show exactly why.
‘Women worry about not being believed or about having their credibility attacked. This is particularly the case when the person they are accusing is in a powerful or prominent position.
‘This isn’t about politics; it’s about power. If either of the women involved had concerns about the process, how likely is it they could host press conferences and raise more than £100,000 to pursue a legal challenge?
‘It’s most certainly not a game – and it’s definitely not a level playing field.’
Talat Yaqoob of the Women 50/50 campaign said: ‘Listen to the experts when they say conduct and commentary through this last week will have a negative impact on women feeling able to come forward to report harassment.
‘There is no political agenda here, simply a wish for fairness.’
Scottish Women’s Aid chief executive Marsha Scott said: ‘We echo the concerns of Rape Crisis Scotland about the impact on survivors of sexual violence, abuse and harassment.
‘Those with a platform and a voice have power – and in using this power, they should be careful that they are not abusing it.’
Scottish Conservative equalities spokesman Annie Wells said: ‘Rape Crisis Scotland and other womens’ groups have expressed concerns about the way Alex Salmond has responded to these allegations.
‘The fact so few women within the SNP are willing to speak up is concerning, however.
‘As the First Minister has said, these allegations must be investigated without fear or favour.
‘Women must feel that they can come forward – even if the accused is in a position of power.’
A spokesman for Mr Salmond said: ‘What might deter future complainants from coming forward and shake confidence in the right to make a complaint is breach of confidentiality, such as the planted leaks which have occurred in this case.’
‘An alleged abuse of power’
‘This is simply a wish for fairness’