That concludes general questions. The next item of business is First Minister's questions.

And at question number one, I call Douglas Ross.

Thank you very much, President.

This week, the Government rejected amendments to the Gender Recognition Reform Bill

that would have stopped those awaiting trial for a sexual offence from changing gender.

The amendment from Michelle Thompson, supported by Russell Finley,

would have prevented the situation where a survivor of rape would have to refer to their rapist

as she. This amendment was not directed at trans people, it would not limit trans rights.

It was solely intended to stop male criminals from inflicting

more trauma on their victims. Michelle Thompson said in this chamber on Tuesday that leaving

this as a possibility risk handing power to abusers. She said that the government is choosing

to put the rights of alleged criminals

over the rights of victims. The government stopped that amendment by a single vote. The

First Minister's own vote means that a man standing trial for rape can claim they're

a woman and force a victim to call them she. Why did

the First Minister vote for this?

First Minister.

Where amendments were rejected over the course of the last two days? It was because a majority in this Parliament, having listened carefully and respectfully

to the arguments, decided that for a variety of reasons, those amendments were not appropriate.

Parliament has gone through that process over the past two days, as is right and proper.

Over the course of the last two days, we have set out in this Chamber many of the different

ways in which predatory men can abuse women.

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