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Green councillor (Glasgow) cleared after calling gender-critical people ‘Nazis’

59 replies

IwantToRetire · 30/07/2024 00:04

Councillor Elaine Gallagher said “extremists” had attended a Let Women Speak rally in the centre of Glasgow and linked the crowd to the murders and attempted suicides of trans people.

In a case that hinged on the definition of the term 'Nazi', a watchdog has decided it would not be appropriate to censure the elected politician for comments made about the February 2023 event.

Gender recognition reform critic Posie Parker was a speaker at the rally, which took place in the city's George Square and attracted a counter-protest in support of LGBT rights.

Gallagher, a city bailie who represents the Southside Central district, was reported to the Standards Commission over comments made at a full meeting of Glasgow City Council.

At a hearing, the panel found she had breached the provision in the Councillors’ Code of Conduct which requires local politicians to “treat others with courtesy and respect”.

However, the panel said she had “enhanced protection of freedom of expression as a politician commenting on a matter of public interest”.
The watchdog said it could not justify any restrictions on this right due to the circumstances of the case and a formal finding of a breach of the code of conduct could not be made.

Dr Lezley Stewart, chair of the hearing panel, said: “The panel found that, in her speech, Cllr Gallagher stated that some of those attending a rally in respect of women’s rights were Nazis and, as such, inferred that they had extreme far right views and subscribed to an ideology based on ideas of racial, social and biological purity.”

Article continues at https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,green-councillor-cleared-after-calling-trans-critics-nazis

Green councillor cleared after calling trans critics ‘Nazis’

Green councillor cleared after calling trans critics ‘Nazis’ over Glasgow rally

https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,green-councillor-cleared-after-calling-trans-critics-nazis

OP posts:
Christinapple · 30/07/2024 17:28

Ereshkigalangcleg · 30/07/2024 16:54

Even if she doesn't specifically invite Nazis, it is a fact actual Nazis have attended some of her rallies

Actual Nazis? Was that back in 1936?

Does this come as a surprise to you? Yes, people who believe in and follow Nazi ideology still exist.

Here's another, a Nazi who was caught with CP. Interestingly, he would protest against drag-queen story events and accuse them of being p.dos

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/neo-nazi-who-targeted-drag-queen-story-hours-charged-with-possession-of-child-pornography/ar-BB1nodag

OP posts:
Original poster
IwantToRetire · 30/07/2024 17:11

I think this must be them but cant find any report of this case, so not able to read full judgement.

The Standards Commission for Scotland

Welcome to the website of the Standards Commission for Scotland. We are an independent public body, responsible for encouraging high standards of behaviour by councillors and those appointed to boards of devolved public bodies.

The role of the Standards Commission is to:

  • Encourage high ethical standards in public life; including the promotion and enforcement of the Codes of Conduct and to issue guidance to councils and devolved public bodies.
  • Adjudicate on alleged breaches of the Codes of Conduct, and where a breach is found, to apply a sanction.
We cover:

https://www.standardscommissionscotland.org.uk/

Home | The Standards Commission for Scotland

Home | The Standards Commission for Scotland

https://www.standardscommissionscotland.org.uk

OP posts:
Original poster
IwantToRetire · 30/07/2024 17:04

PickAChew · 30/07/2024 16:01

"there was “sufficient factual basis” for Gallagher’s contention that the rally had been “attended by Nazis”, even if this was “entirely inaccurate”, the watchdog said.

🤔😕😵‍💫

This is a clear example of how over exaggerated beliefs (eg the one about suicides) then get repeated so often, they are then presented as facts.

So a Green Councillor has taken as fact that any rally about women's sex based rights is anti trans and therefore has nazis attending.

But what is so extraordinary that anyone can come on a thread (and they never stop) thinking they can repeat this total fabrication and women who are gender critical, and some have been to LWS events, now it to be absolute bollocks.

But to get back to the issue, and not let derailers derail.

What the investigation found was just illogical.

I cannot think of any other set of circumstances where a firmly held inaccurate belief then entitled you to insult someone.

Not had time, but would be interested to find who this committee is, and what its remit is, and if there is a complaints procedure.

Because whilst wanting, enjoying ridiculing those who took part, if this is now the standard in local Government, we really are reaching a new low.

OP posts:
AccidentallyWesAnderson · 30/07/2024 16:57

Are people still going with the 'they turned up to her event so that means she's just like them' trope?

Bless.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 30/07/2024 16:54

Even if she doesn't specifically invite Nazis, it is a fact actual Nazis have attended some of her rallies

Actual Nazis? Was that back in 1936?

duc748 · 30/07/2024 16:51

New Zealand. Right.

Christinapple · 30/07/2024 16:47

SinnerBoy · 30/07/2024 15:52

They're not on her side, they're anti-trans, whilst KJK is pro-women and girls. Part of that includes keeping trans people, who are males claiming to be females, out of women's spaces.

KJK is anti-trans, same as the Nazis.

The Media Council and Broadcasting Standards Authority of NZ are in agreement. They ruled it was accurate for the media to describe KJK as an anti-trans rights activist, and to say she has the support of Nazis.

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/nz-media-cleared-in-posie-parker-coverage/ar-AA1gySDr

Snowypeaks · 30/07/2024 16:07

PickAChew · 30/07/2024 16:01

"there was “sufficient factual basis” for Gallagher’s contention that the rally had been “attended by Nazis”, even if this was “entirely inaccurate”, the watchdog said.

🤔😕😵‍💫

It's the word "factual" that makes a nonsense of this finding. They might have got away with "sufficient basis" because that is vague and could cover impressions, suggestions, etc.

PickAChew · 30/07/2024 16:01

"there was “sufficient factual basis” for Gallagher’s contention that the rally had been “attended by Nazis”, even if this was “entirely inaccurate”, the watchdog said.

🤔😕😵‍💫

Snowypeaks · 30/07/2024 15:57

Let's not get derailed, though.

Does anyone know if there is an appeal process?

Snowypeaks · 30/07/2024 15:56

Funny how Antifa didn't take on the actual Nazis, though... Much easier to scream at women,

SinnerBoy · 30/07/2024 15:53

By giving up and not holding them, I'd assume...

duc748 · 30/07/2024 15:53

How do you stop (a few) Nazis from attending events?

SinnerBoy · 30/07/2024 15:52

They're not on her side, they're anti-trans, whilst KJK is pro-women and girls. Part of that includes keeping trans people, who are males claiming to be females, out of women's spaces.

Christinapple · 30/07/2024 15:51

Grammarnut · 30/07/2024 15:35

I don't know why they always stick the LGB bit in for these protesters. They are always and only interested in trans rights, aka the right of men to impose their ideas on women whenever they wish.

Edited

I could say the same for Kelly Jay Keen, who sets up anti-trans rallies. Even if she doesn't specifically invite Nazis, it is a fact actual Nazis have attended some of her rallies and they are on her side.

TheywontletmehavethenameIwant · 30/07/2024 15:48

"there was “sufficient factual basis” for Gallagher’s contention that the rally had been “attended by Nazis”, even if this was “entirely inaccurate”, the watchdog said.

WTAF

Grammarnut · 30/07/2024 15:35

I don't know why they always stick the LGB bit in for these protesters. They are always and only interested in trans rights, aka the right of men to impose their ideas on women whenever they wish.

SinnerBoy · 30/07/2024 15:34

Fuxache, not tired old bollocks about KJK inviting Nazis again, whilst ignoring the fact that they were also at the trans rally.

And the more salient fact that the disciplinary committee admitted that none were at the event in question.

Talk about desperate reaching!

Christinapple · 30/07/2024 14:15

"Gallagher said: “When an anti-trans speaker had a rally in George Square this year, it was attended by Nazis. These are the extremists, and the result of this extremism is blighted lives, children silenced, bullied, abused in so-called conversion therapy, driven to attempt suicide, people murdered and mourned on the anniversaries of mass shootings and a day of remembrance.”

The hearing was told that it was not in dispute that she had stated that accusations made against LGBTQ+ individuals lead to threats of physical violence and death threats, and that the language used had been described as “genocidal”.

In a written statement, the panel accepted that some of the remarks were about the impact of accusations about LGBTQ+ individuals, and about anti-trans sentiment in general, not about the rally or its attendees – and therefore these could not be considered discourteous or disrespectful."

I don't know about this specific one, but Kelly-Jay Keen has had literal Nazis (people who openly support the Nazi ideology and do the saluting etc) attend some of her other rallies, on her side.

I think she is making a good point if she is trying to talk about the impact of [false malicious] accusations against LGBT people, and that hate and accusations can lead to threats which then leads to violence.

Serious accusations against LGBT people and drag performers do seem to be thrown around too casually. Lawrence Fox (who also likes to burn gay pride flags in his garden) recently accused drag performers (performers of the Olympic ceremony or torch carrying specifically) as "devious little pdos" and "child f*kers" without evidence.

www.thepinknews.com/2024/07/29/laurence-fox-sued/

MrsOvertonsWindow · 30/07/2024 13:20

EdithStourton · 30/07/2024 12:01

It's becoming a real trend to call GC women Nazis, or to seek to align them with the Far Right.

You have to wonder why it is happening.

Desperation. An attempt to frighten the public out of exercising critical thinking and insisting on children being protected from this dangerous fact shifting ideology. As all the scandals are exposed the #nodebate enforcers resort to ever more extreme tactics.

NitroNine · 30/07/2024 12:59

How have those absolute fecking spanners confused the actual real concept of parliamentary privilege with some loosey-goosey idea that holding any form of elected office gives you freer speech than mere mortals?! (Is this a lifelong privilege? If so, I’d like it to be known I was Head Girl at school & am claiming my right to call anyone I fancy a Nazi without repercussions on that basis…)

Original poster
IwantToRetire · 30/07/2024 12:12

Its funny isn't it how some people seem to have the right to "free speech" but others dont.

And who gets to deside, and how it happens to be them that decide.

Quite similar to the discussion on free speech in universities thread.

But one thing we can be sure of it will never be women.

OP posts:
EdithStourton · 30/07/2024 12:01

It's becoming a real trend to call GC women Nazis, or to seek to align them with the Far Right.

You have to wonder why it is happening.

RethinkingLife · 30/07/2024 11:52

SinnerBoy · 30/07/2024 03:09

Retiredfromthere · Today 02:38

So really anything goes as long as you are speaking from the right side?

Apparently so.

I posted the bit below the dashed line back in April for the PCC elections. Some accusations seem repeatedly acceptable despite being an evidence-free zone. (Remember then C4's Inclusion Consultant Sue Pascoe reporting WPUK and We Need To Talk to Prevent, the anti-terrorism unit?)

Further discussion in this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womensrights/3361150-Dr-Nicola-Williams-on-BBC2-at-10-15-Victoria-Live?pg=7#prettyPhoto/1/

---

I Googled for Police Women’s Independent Advisory Group in my county. They don't mention a women's group but do say they want to hear from people who feel that their community’s voice is underrepresented in dialogue with their local /county police.

I doubt the Police mean women and especially doubt that they mean me but I shall contact them. I suggested this to a friend who also Googled. And has reported back with this tweet and news (she's in Essex). So, if I was wondering how the drive to remove single sex services had happened, I'm now sadder and wiser as to the explanation in some areas.

‘I believe the College of Police is inherently corrupted by gender ideology'

'Recently, a man named Clare, Head of the Independent Advisory Group to Essex Police, said women with gender critical views should be treated as terrorists’

- Sarah Phillimore, Co-founder WeAreFairCop

https://twitter.com/GBNEWS/status/1769464221874434067

x.com

https://twitter.com/GBNEWS/status/1769464221874434067