Thread by @thecourieruk

It's been a busy few days since we broke the news that a man has been appointed Scotland's first period dignity officer.

Jason Grant's role has sparked debate across the globe - and the outrage shows no sign of slowing down.

Here's the inside story 🧵

On Monday, Scotland became the first country in the world to make sanitary products a legal right through the Period Products Act.

Mr Grant was also revealed as Tayside's period dignity officer, who is responsible for delivering a campaign to raise awareness of this.

The job is funded through the Period Dignity Partnership and hosted by Dundee and Angus College.

It has a salary range of £33 - £36k.

The period dignity officer will work in a team that covers Dundee City Council, Perth College, Dundee and Angus College, and Angus Council.

Jason Grant, from Dundee, was formerly employed as a student wellbeing officer with Dundee and Angus College.

Prior to this, he was a personal trainer and an account manager with Imperial Tobacco.

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He told The Courier: "It’s about making people aware of the availability of period products for anyone of any gender, whenever they need it."

He also says the role will be to raise awareness of the menopause and he "can make progress by proving this isn’t just a female topic."

However, Mr Grant's appointment immediately sparked backlash from the public and celebrities.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova was first to weigh in, branding the move "f***ing ridiculous".

She was later joined by Judy Murray, who simply said: "FFS".

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The SNP's Ian Blackford told Sky News "first and foremost these should be posts that should be ideally taken up by women."

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But First Minster Nicola Sturgeon said it wasn't a Scottish Government appointment and that she "didn't know the details".

As the story gained traction, we tried to contact Mr Grant - but were told he was on annual leave.

So we asked for some clarity around who was responsible for his appointment.

It was the Period Dignity Working Group.

It's comprised of four women: Katie Baxter (Dundee and Angus College), Shelley Hague (Angus Council), Jill Brash (Dundee City Council) and Deborah Lally (Perth College).

The original press release announcing Mr Grant's appointment said:

But the Group was forced to defend Mr Grant's appointment on Tuesday, adding: "Jason was the strongest candidate."

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Recently, concerns over the recruitment process and online ad have emerged through Mumsnet.

It's alleged that the post was only advertised on myjobscotland for nine days.

A FOI has been lodged asking for clarity.

Several questions still remain over Jason Grant's appointment, so we pressed the Period Dignity Working Group for answers.

We asked the following, but a spokeswoman simply said the Period Dignity Working Group has nothing else to add at this time.

The story of Jason Grant's appointment has been covered worldwide, and we'll continue to press for answers.

What do you think - it is right that a man was made period dignity officer?

NEW: Dundee City Council leader John Alexander has spoken out about the decision – saying “we don’t have male jobs and female jobs” ow.ly/Wxql50Kn9yX

We also asked Angus Council.

Two local figures declined to be drawn into the debate.

The council has still not responded to a request for comment from chief executive Mrs Williamson.

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We've submitted an FOI request with 14 questions around the appointment of Tayside's first period dignity officer.

We should receive a response within 20 working days.