SNP politicians going along with self-ID ‘for a quiet life’, claims MP

SNP MP Joanna Cherry has said politicians in her party agree with her views on gender but prefer to remain silent “for a quiet life”.

Ms Cherry has been outspoken in her opposition of the Scottish Government’s plans to drop the requirement for a medical diagnosis required for trans people to gain a gender recognition certificate (GRC), a move that was blocked by the UK Government after being passed by MSPs in December.

Her comments come as an event due to be held at the Stand comedy club in Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe where Ms Cherry was to be interviewed as part of a series was cancelled.

The club said “key operational staff” had raised concerns about her views and made clear they did not want to work at the event based on Ms Cherry’s views.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland on Tuesday, Ms Cherry said: “Many of my SNP colleagues agree with me, they’re just afraid to speak out.”

Asked if SNP politicians had told her they agreed with her views, she said: “Oh yes, I’ve had a lot of private discussions with MPs and MSPs, and many party members, but MPs and MSPs have seen what has happened to me.”

Ms Cherry, who alleged she has been “harassed, discriminated against and cancelled” as a result of her gender-critical views, added: “We did see at Holyrood before Christmas a very substantial rebellion in which a number of my colleagues, including Michelle Thomson, very courageously did speak out on the issue, so some politicians have had the courage to stick their head above the parapet.

“I know for a fact there are others who are just going along with self-ID for a quiet life.”

Ms Cherry also said: “One day, I hope to be in a position to tell the full story of what has gone on behind the scenes in my political party since I stood up for the rights of lesbians to be same-sex attracted and women’s rights to safety, dignity and privacy.”

Asked if she would take legal action if the Stand did not reverse its decision, the MP – who is also a practicing KC – said she was keeping her options open, but hoped the venue would “see sense”.

In a statement on Monday, the club said: “Further to our previous policy statement on this matter, following extensive discussions with our staff it has become clear that a number of the Stand’s key operational staff, including venue management and box office personnel, are unwilling to work on this event.

“As we have previously stated, we will ensure that their views are respected.

“We will not compel our staff to work on this event and so have concluded that the event is unable to proceed on a properly staffed, safe and legally compliant basis.

“We advised the show producers, Fair Pley Productions, of this operational issue and they advised Joanna Cherry that it is no longer possible to host the event in our venue.”