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The Herald Scotland
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Maggie Chapman knocked from top of Scottish Greens list
Ms Chapman who has placed second on the list has been an MSP since the last parliamentary elections in 2021 and, before then, she was co-convener of the Scottish Greens from 2013-2019. Currently the party leader in Abderdeen and Aberdeenshire, Mr Ingerson is also the co-convenor of the party's LGBT+ wing, the Rainbow Greens. Green activist Guy Ingerson (Image: supplied) Once a political ally of Ms Chapman, Mr Ingerson lodged an internal party bullying complaint against his former boss last month, alleging that she contacted his new employer to warn he was 'untrustworthy'. In April, Ms Chapman narrowly survived a bid to oust her from Holyrood's equalities committee after she criticised the judiciary over a judgement on the definition of a woman. Ms Chapman, deputy convener of the Holyrood committee, said there was "bigotry, prejudice and hatred" coming from the Supreme Court after it ruled a woman is defined by her biological sex under the Equality Act. READ MORE: Maggie Chapman hits back in Scottish Greens list battle Maggie Chapman faces list battle with top Greens activist Meet the 'radical' Greens challenging Harvie and Chapman Leading Scottish Greens activist suspended amid infighting Greens civil war: 'Glasgow faction', Holyrood 'centrists' The Scottish Greens regional candidate lists come as the party is currently in the process of electing new co-leaders. Patrick Harvie has announced he will not run for leadership again, however, his co-leader Lorna Slater has made her bid to be re-elected for the top position. MSPs Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay are also standing for the leadership contest which is expected to conclude at the end of August. The Herald understands nominations for leadership will close on Friday this week. Unveiling their Holyrood candidate lists at midday today, the Scottish Greens also revealed Ellie Gomersal, who is linked to a group critical of the current party leadership known as the 'Glasgow faction', has placed second in Glasgow, behind leading candidate Mr Harvie. Cllr Holly Bruce placed third and Green activist Iris Duane came fourth. Critic of the current Green co-leaders, Niall Christie, who The Herald revealed was suspended from the party amid complaints of bullying, described Ms Gomersall and Iris Duane as 'excellent candidates'. Mr Christie previously urged Mr Harvie and Ross Greer to stand aside for "radical women" even if fellow members gave them top ranking in the race for candidates on the regional lists. For the newly-created Edinburgh and Lothians East region, the former head of [[Edinburgh]] Rape Crisis, Mridul Wadhwa, placed seventh with current co-leader Lorna Slater leading the list. The former rape crisis chief, backed to stand by the Rainbow Greens, was criticised in a damning independent report for failing to 'understand the limits of her authority' and was found to have 'failed to set professional standards of behaviour'. Announcing their candidates today, the Scottish Greens have said they are aiming to return a record number of MSPs come Holyrood 2026. Seat projection analysis from an Ipsos poll at the start of this month indicated that the Scottish Greens could secure 16 MSPs, nearly doubling the eight elected in 2021. Reacting to the candidate announcements, Scottish Greens Co-Leader, Lorna Slater MSP said: "Next year's election is pivotal for the future of Scotland and our planet, that's why I am delighted that Scottish Green members have selected such a strong group of lead candidates who will deliver real change in Holyrood. 'Greens have been the only influential left-wing force in the Scottish Parliament for decades, delivering free bus travel for young people, scrapping peak rail fares, and securing tax reforms to ensure the richest in society pay their fair share to support the services we all rely on, like our NHS. 'With more Green MSPs, we can continue to push for the climate emergency to be taken seriously by other parties who want to protect corporate profits rather than our planet, and to fight back against the toxic climate change denialism from the far-right. Scottish Greens won't give up on our planet's future. 'Electing a record number of Scottish Greens is the only way to secure the pro-independence majority in Holyrood, and to continue advancing the case to re-join the European Union. It is a cause that Scottish Green MSPs will continue to make on the doorsteps across the country and in the chamber at Holyrood.'
Scottish Sun
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Transgender ex rape crisis boss accused of slur on sex attack victims bids to be an MSP
They were forced to resign after a damning report 'GASLIGHTING' BOSS BID Transgender ex rape crisis boss accused of slur on sex attack victims bids to be an MSP THE transgender ex rape crisis boss who said 'bigot' sex attack victims who want female-only care should 'reframe their trauma' is bidding to become a Scottish Greens MSP. Mridul Wadhwa - who previously stood for the SNP – is seeking selection for the Lothian region for the party which has become a cheerleader for gender ideology. Advertisement 3 Mridul Wadhwa resigned in disgrace as the head of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Credit: X 3 Wadhwa is seeking to become a candidate at next year's Holyrood elections Credit: PA:Press Association Wadhwa, who identifies as a woman, is the controversial former boss of Edinburgh Rape Crisis, where a caseworker was subjected to unlawful discrimination and constructive dismissal after stating that women using the service should be able to know the sex of staff. Wadhwa quit last year after a damning report found they failed to act professionally. Feminist campaigner Susan Smith, of For Women Scotland, said: 'We are astonished that Wadhwa has the nerve to show his face after the way he behaved at Edinburgh Rape Crisis where he led a 'heresy hunt'.' In 2021 Wadhwa suggested that victims of sexual assault who wanted a female counsellor were 'bigots', saying they should 'reframe' their trauma and have 'a more positive relationship with it'. Advertisement Rainbow Greens, the party's LGBT+ representative group, is seeking to pack the Scottish Green list with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender candidates. Writing on Bluesky Social, Rainbow Greens said: 'We are urging members to vote with our community in mind. Give LGBTQ+ candidates your 1st preference vote. 'It is important that LGBTQ+ voices are heard when our human rights are debated in the corridors of power.' Wadhwa was described as 'a migrant, trans woman of colour, adoptive parent and carer'. Advertisement Rainbow Greens said: 'As an activist and having a professional background in equalities organisations, she hopes to bring this experience into Parliament.' Scottish Conservative shadow minister for equalities Tess White said Wadhwa is unfit to be an MSP after presiding over 'a Kafkaesque nightmare for staff and service users' at Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre which 'put the organisation at serious financial risk'. Sulking WFH civil servants WON'T face discipline if they refuse office return She said: 'It speaks volumes about the extremist Greens that they believe this individual is even remotely suitable to become an MSP. 'Following the shocking findings of the independent review into Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre last year, Mridul Wadhwa had to resign in disgrace as CEO. Advertisement 'After gaslighting survivors of sexual abuse by telling them to 'reframe their trauma' and vilifying gender critical staff, it was painfully clear that Wadhwa shamefully prioritised the Greens' militant gender ideology over the needs of vulnerable women.' The Scottish Greens confirmed Wadhwa is seeking selection for the Lothians list and votes will close on 11 July. A spokesman said: 'The Scottish Greens are preparing to run our biggest-ever campaign and push to elect a record number of MSPs and councillors in 2026 and 2027. Our internal selection process is well underway. 'We have robust guidance and internal processes within the party to oversee internal elections, and we look forward to continuing our proud democratic tradition of giving members a voice in our movement. Advertisement 'People across Scotland have been let down by crushing cuts from the Labour government at Westminster and an SNP Government that is backtracking on crucial policies in Holyrood. "The Scottish Greens are fighting for people and planet at next year's election.'
The Herald Scotland
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Maggie Chapman faces list battle with top Greens activist
Ingerson currently serves as the party's leader in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and is the co-convenor of the party's LGBT+ wing, the Rainbow Greens. Formerly co-leader of the Greens from 2013 to 2019, Chapman has been an MSP since 2021. She was nearly ousted from the Scottish Parliament's equalities committee in April after criticising the Supreme Court over their recent ruling on the definition of a woman. In a statement, Ingerson pledged to be a 'change candidate' for the region. The activist previously stood for the Greens in Aberdeen South last summer, earning 3.5% of the vote. Party activist Guy Ingerson. (Image: Supplied) He said: 'Like the rest of Scotland, communities across our region have seen successive cuts to public services. Our NHS, libraries, colleges, and local nurseries have all seen cuts, and our universities are in crisis. Enough is enough. 'We need an anti-cuts campaigner in the Scottish Parliament fighting to improve and restore our public services. I am that person.' Once a political ally of Chapman, Ingerson lodged an internal party bullying complaint against his former boss last month, alleging that she contacted his new employer to warn he was 'untrustworthy'. Both Chapman and Ingerson have declined to comment publicly on the matter. Ingerson said that securing a just energy transition is a key priority of his campaign. He noted: 'The transition away from oil & gas is not bringing everyone with it. People need to see tangible benefits to renewable energy infrastructure, and they need jobs to go to. We have been waiting years for a plan from the Scottish government and the UK government are not delivering; we cannot wait any longer. 'We should be looking to the 'Our Power' report produced by Platform and Friends of the Earth Scotland. This must be the starting point for any plan. We need climate justice and action. We need both now.'
