ANAS Sarwar has claimed he has "always" called for the protection of single sex spaces based on biology, despite previously whipping Scottish Labour MSPs to back the Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill.
The Scottish Labour leader took to social media on Wednesday evening to call on the Scottish Government to provide "clear guidance" for public services following the Supreme Court's ruling that women are defined by biology.
The landmark case was brought by For Women Scotland against the Scottish Government, which argued that the category of “woman” included both biological females and biological males who held a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC).
The Scottish Labour leader previously whipped his MSPs to vote in favour of the GRR legislation in December 2022, which would have made it easier for trans people to get a GRC.
However, the Scotland Office blocked the reforms from becoming law.
For Women Scotland then took the Scottish Government to court over whether trans women can be regarded as female for the purposes of the 2010 Equality Act, with the judgment heard on Wednesday.
Sarwar's statement on Wednesday evening appears to directly contradict his party's position when voting on the GRR bill in 2022.
The Scottish Labour leader has already U-turned on his position, stating in February that he "regretted" supporting the bill and that Scottish Labour "would not have supported the bill" had it come through Holyrood now.
In a post on Twitter/X on Wednesday evening, Sarwar said: "I’ve always called for the protection of single sex spaces on the basis of biological sex.
"This judgment gives clarity to women and service users about the protections in the Equality Act.
"The SNP Government must provide clear guidance for Scottish public services so they can implement the Equality Act properly to uphold dignity for all."
I’ve always called for the protection of single sex spaces on the basis of biological sex. This judgment gives clarity to women and service users about the protections in the Equality Act. The SNP Government must provide clear guidance for Scottish public services so they can…
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) April 16, 2025
Sarwar's comments were in response to a statement from Bridget Phillipson, the UK Government's minister for women and equalities, who said following the ruling: "We have always supported the protection of single sex spaces based on biological sex.
"This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges, and sports clubs.
"Single sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government."
The Scottish Labour leader has been accused of "lying" and criticised for "somersaulting" on the issue by social media users.
Scottish Conservatives leader Russell Findlay said Sarwar was "peddling" a "ridiculous rewriting of history", adding: "Does he think the people of Scotland are stupid?"
Meanwhile, National columnist Steph Paton wrote: "Well there you have it, Scottish trans folk. Sarwar is so desperate to show he has fully turned on the trans community that he's rewriting history.
"Scottish Labour do not support the LGBTQ+ community."
