John Swinney has been left 'humiliated' after SNP members on a Holyrood committee voted against a motion to remove Green MSP Maggie Chapman from her role as deputy convener. The move follows Chapman's controversial comments accusing the Supreme Court of 'bigotry, prejudice and hatred' after its ruling on the legal definition of a woman.
Scottish Conservative MSP Tess White's motion was defeated 4-3, with SNP members Karen Adam, Marie McNair and Evelyn Tweed voting to keep Chapman in post despite Swinney's condemnation of her remarks. White accused the SNP members of bringing parliament into disrepute by 'defending the indefensible'.
Chapman, who attended the committee meeting remotely, refused to apologise for her comments, which were made at a transgender rights rally in Aberdeen on April 16. The Supreme Court had ruled that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological women and biological sex.
Labour MSP Paul O'Kane had urged Chapman to withdraw her remarks, stressing the need to respect the judiciary and the rule of law. However, Chapman said she would 'reflect and consider what people have said', later stating that the focus should be on the ruling's impact on trans and non-binary people.
The Conservatives have indicated they will explore other ways to bring the matter before the full Scottish Parliament. The Dean of the Faculty of Advocates had previously branded Chapman's comments 'appalling'.
