Thread by @fairplaywomen

Today, we have submitted a formal complaint to the Equality and Human Rights Commission about inaccurate and misleading information given by Police Scotland regarding the use of single-sex exceptions /1

fairplayforwomen.com/police-scotlan…

Police Scotland has a duty to promote understanding between groups, and the EHRC has a duty to make sure Police Scotland doesn’t breach those obligations. We believe a breach has occurred and action is now required /2

In a comment to the Times, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said “Hate crime and discrimination of any kind is deplorable and entirely unacceptable”.

With regards to discrimination, this statement made on behalf of Police Scotland is inaccurate and misleading /3

Police misrepresenting the law in this way is a serious matter. The idea that service providers are in any way deplorable and acting unlawfully is likely to foster bad relations between groups (in breach of their public sector equality duty) /4

Plus there is a ‘chilling effect’ on other service providers who wish to lawfully provide female-only services. Thus, fettering the ability of service providers to choose the most appropriate, and least discriminatory, service to their target service users /5

Police Scotland should withdraw its statement “any kind of discrimination is deplorable and entirely unacceptable” making clear that discrimination on the grounds of sex can indeed be lawful and wholly necessary and appropriate in some circumstances /6

fairplayforwomen.com/police-scotlan…