Roddick hails Scotland’s record on women’s rights; condemns Tory response to Sarah Everard murder

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick slammed the UK Government’s record on women’s rights on Wednesday, condemning statements made by a Tory police commissioner that suggested Sarah Everard should have been more “streetwise” when confronted by her murderer.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Roddick highlighted the different approaches of the UK and Scottish Governments, noting First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s work on widening the rights of women and girls, which led to her being named the inaugural UN Global Advocate for Women’s Rights in 2019.

Speaking after the debate, Roddick said:

“Boris Johnson tells us we can trust the police, but he has spent the last week doing nothing but ruling out measure after measure that could keep women safe. He ruled out a public inquiry into the Sarah Everard case and refuses to even consider methods to recognise misogyny as hate crime.

“I am proud to be able to say that I share a party with a First Minister that takes an entirely different approach, whose government is spending half-a-million aiding women and girls in Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda in accessing education.”