Nicola Sturgeon: No apology over transgender prisoner row – BBC News

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Nicola Sturgeon has said her government has nothing to apologise for in its handling of the recent transgender prisoner controversy.

On Sunday, a “pause” was placed on the transfer to women’s jails of trans inmates with a history of violence.

Asked if she would apologise, the first minister said: “I don’t think there is anything for that.”

She said ministers were dealing with “difficult issues” in an “appropriate” way.

Opposition parties say the government’s handling of the row has been “botched”, and characterised by “chaos, confusion and U-turns”.

The controversy began last week when Isla Bryson, who now identifies as a woman, was sentenced for two rapes committed prior to her gender change.

Ms Sturgeon said she had “no knowledge” of any government intervention in the decision to take Isla Bryson to Cornton Vale. There have been reports that she was originally due to be remanded to Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow.

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