SENIOR figures within the SNP have condemned comments from a member of the party who said he wanted to “beat the f***” out of transphobes.
Cameron Downing, an equalities officer in the party’s London branch, expressed fury with transphobes and "Terfs” – which stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminist, meaning a feminist who denies that people born male can identify as women.
The 23-year old’s comments were revealed by the Sunday Mail and were branded “abhorrent” by SNP president Michael Russell.
In the now-deleted tweets, he said: “I’m in the mood to beat the f*** out of some terfs and transphobes today [smiley face].”
Another read: “I f****** hate terfs and transphobes with such a passion they make me want to SCREAM !!!!!”
There’s been much talk about the use of language in politics overnight. I hope everyone particularly those who proposed the conduct motion at #SNP22 yesterday will condemn this foul & violent misogynistic language from a party official. https://t.co/4Cc4EDEk1K
— Joanna Cherry KC (@joannaccherry) October 10, 2022
SNP MP Joanna Cherry, a gender-critical feminist who has herself been called a transphobe for her positions on sex and gender, said Downing’s comments were “foul and violent” and accused the man of being “misogynistic”.
It comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon doubled down on comments she made in an interview, in which she said she “detests” the Tories, raising questions from members of that party about “respect” in politics.
Cherry tweeted: “There’s been much talk about the use of language in politics overnight.
“I hope everyone particularly those who proposed the conduct motion at [SNP conference] yesterday will condemn this foul & violent misogynistic language from a party official.”
She was referring to a new code of conduct proposed by the party which will outline the general principles of campaigning for Yes groups who want to be affiliated with the party’s efforts during the indyref2 campaign.
Gender-critical Yessers, have concerns about mooted versions of a code of conduct, because they are worried potential provisions about trans issues could mean they were breaking the rules by expressing their beliefs that sex trumps gender identity.
Russell, who has previously assured Cherry the code of conduct will not ban gender-critical speech, added: “I absolutely agree that [Downing’s] language is abhorrent.
“Passionate debate about policies and politics of course, but threats of violence never.”
Downing told the Sunday Mail: “I apologise for these tweets and for any offence caused to the LGBTQ+ community and have long since deleted them.”
The National has approached Downing and the SNP for comment.
