Police sever links with Stonewall’s diversity scheme

POLICE Scotland has withdrawn from a diversity scheme run by controversial gay and transgender rights group Stonewall.

The force has severed links with the initiative run by the LGBTQ+ charity, which has been criticised for its stance on trans issues.

Police Scotland is understood to be the first high-profile Scottish public body to have quit the scheme, which has attracted the support of the Scottish Government – currently 89th on Stonewall’s top 100 employers index.

In 2021, the BBC announced that it was withdrawing from Stonewall’s diversity champions scheme amid concerns about impartiality.

Other organisations which have left include the House of Commons, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, the House of Lords and Ofcom.

The decision by Police Scotland came to light after MSPs backed legislation in December which removes the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria before applying to change gender. Scottish Tory community safety spokesman Russell Findlay said: ‘Police Scotland’s decision seems entirely proper due to the serious concerns that have been raised about this charity’s activities.’

Police Scotland has not made a submission for the 2023 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, which assesses employers on their diversity credentials, and its last payment of annual fees for the scheme was in March 2021.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: ‘Police Scotland listens to a wide range of voices, including Stonewall, and we work to ensure we develop appropriate partnerships to support the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.’

The force did not comment as to why formal ties with the Stonewall scheme were ditched.

The Mail has been told that police chiefs are reviewing their inclusion policies in general and looking again at relationships with a variety of bodies – but that the force would still listen to Stonewall’s views despite having ended its formal relationship with the charity.

Signatories to the scheme include the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Water and the Scottish Prison Service.

Stonewall said: ‘We’re proud of our diversity champions programme, which supports workplaces to create LGBTQ+ inclusive environments where all staff can thrive. Everyone... deserves to be free from discrimination and prejudice at work.’