Feminists who fear a radical overhaul of transgender laws in Scotland will threaten their rights and safety have been compared to racists and anti-Semites by a minister in Nicola Sturgeon’s government.

Lorna Slater, who was handed a ministerial post last year under the SNP’s coalition pact with the Greens, was accused of making “grossly offensive” remarks as she appeared to demand that media organisations censor critics of the Scottish Government plans.

In remarks about the trans rights debate published on Sunday, she said the BBC had “only recently stopped putting on climate deniers because they required balance”. 

She added: “We wouldn’t put balance on the question of racism or anti-Semitism, but we allow this fictional notion of balance when it comes to anti-trans [views]. The whole thing is disgusting.”

In a further claim which enraged grassroots groups which have mobilised to fight plans to allow Scots to change their legal sex simply by making a declaration, Ms Slater claimed her opponents were secretly funded by “certain right-wing American groups”. 

Asked to provide evidence or specify which groups Ms Slater was referring to, the Scottish Government is yet to do so.

‘Political wrecking ball’

Susan Smith, a director of the For Women Scotland campaign group, said the “deliberately inflammatory” comments amounted to an open call for the “censorship and suppression of political opponents” from a government minister.

“It is ironic she likens women’s rights activists to anti-Semites, racists and climate change deniers, when some might think her intemperate, incendiary, fact-free rant bears all the hallmarks of extremist bigotry as well as a denial of the fundamentals of biological science,” she said.

“Such bullying hectoring should concern any parliamentarian who wants an open, thorough examination of legislation. If Ms Slater wishes to continue to act as a political wrecking ball, she should resign her position.”

The SNP/Green Government at Holyrood recently published legislation that would allow anyone aged 16 or over born or resident in Scotland to change their legal sex by self-identification, removing the need for a medical diagnosis or doctor’s approval.

Some feminists believe the changes are open to abuse by male sexual predators who could make a declaration to demand access to women-only spaces such as changing rooms, prisons or hospital wards. 

Critics also fear they will erode women’s sex-based rights in fields such as sport and the workplace. 

The claims are denied by supporters of the legislation who say they will merely simplify an existing process to obtain a gender recognition certificate and will not hand trans people any new rights.

‘Deeply inflammatory’

Ms Slater’s comments, to The Herald on Sunday, came after Shona Robison, the SNP minister steering the legislation through Holyrood, called for a “respectful” debate without “offensive or abusive” comments on either side.

However, Ms Slater, who is entitled to a salary of £98,000 in her role as biodiversity minister, said a perceived backlash against the trans community was “hideous” and that she feared for the safety of trans women standing as Green candidates in the council elections.

“These gentle, hardworking women are being portrayed as if they’re inherently dangerous,” she said. “It couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Only the Scottish Tories officially oppose the reforms at Holyrood, though individual SNP and Labour politicians, including Ms Sturgeon’s finance minister, have concerns. 

Meghan Gallacher, the Scottish Tory spokeswoman on gender reform, said Ms Slater’s remarks were  “deeply inflammatory” and would only “heighten tensions on a difficult and sensitive issue”.

“It’s outrageous and grossly offensive for Lorna Slater to compare women with legitimate concerns over their safety and rights with racists,” she said. 

“The same goes for her absurd suggestion that those with misgivings should not be given a platform to voice their concerns.”