Scottish Police criticized Isla Bryson's leaked memo

The end of Nicola Sturgeon's term as Prime Minister was marked by controversy over her plans for trans rights, her botched gender reform bill and the rather disturbing revelation that trans rapist Isla Bryson was housed in a women's prison. And now it has emerged that Scottish Police have even considered putting Bryson on the sex offenders' register as a woman. My heaven…

Bryson, who was jailed for raping two women while known as a man, changed his gender while awaiting trial. In a rather shocking move, the rapist was subsequently taken by the Scottish Prison Service to Cornton Vale Scottish Women's Prison where he awaited sentencing. The error came to light as Sturgeon tried to pass a law that would make it easier for people to legally change gender – and after intense backlash, Bryson was moved to a men's facility.

While Police Scotland insisted last week that rapists must not identify as women – with police chief Jo Farrell remarking: “This crime can only be committed as a man”, a leaked document seen by Sky News suggests that is not the case has always been the attitude of the troops. A 2023 internal memo titled “Sex and Gender” reflected on how Bryson might be handled following his release from prison. The filing described how Bryson came to be registered as “female” on the sex offender registry and crime database, noting:

If this person comes into contact with Police Scotland again, it is likely to be a matter of public protection in dealing with sex offenders. In this case they may be registered as a woman with the name Isla Bryson, but the transsexual history should be recorded in the relevant police systems.

Crikey. Farrell insisted that police had always assumed that only men could commit the crime – and insisted that this was “no different position” to any previously expressed – but the new revelation raises pretty serious questions about everything. For their part, Police Scotland said: “The Chief Constable addressed the issue of gender self-identification before the Scottish Police Authority Board in September 2024, with Police Scotland committing to a wider review.” But that hasn't exactly appeased everyone. Scottish Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton slammed police over the “stunning revelation” and fumed: “Police chiefs and SNP ministers must urgently clarify why this offensive, unrealistic policy was ever adopted” and reassure the public that it was finally abandoned.' Quite.