A women’s rights campaigner accused of damaging a trans activist’s rainbow umbrella during a protest outside Holyrood has received an apology from Police Scotland.
Susan Smith, a director of For Women Scotland, was asked to attend a station to face vandalism charges after a complaint against her was made by a drag queen who militantly opposes her views.
She was reported for allegedly damaging the umbrella during a rally outside the Scottish parliament in September.
The complaint was made by Tom Harlow, who counter-protests dozens of women’s events by blasting music to drown out feminists.
Harlow, a drag artist and stripper who performs as Cabaret Against The Hate Speech has received funding from the Scottish Government’s quango Creative Scotland.
Both video and still pictures of their 20-second interaction at the Women Won’t Wait event featuring high-profile speakers including Tracey Edwards, Joanna Cherry, KC, and MSPs Pam Gosal and Ash Regan appear to show no damage.
Police Scotland said last month it was reviewing its response to the protest. Today it confirmed it is now satisfied no crime was committed.
Susan Smith, a director of FWS, has received an apology from Police Scotland
Tom Harlow counter-protests dozens of women’s events by blasting music
Susan Smith is part of the group which successfully took the Scottish Government to court
The force has now written to Ms Smith informing her of the decision, and have also apologised to her.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘We have completed our review into this incident and are now satisfied that no crime has been committed.
‘We have written to those involved to inform them of this decision.’
The force added that a previous invitation to Ms Smith to ‘discuss the offer of a recorded police warning’ had now been withdrawn.
Police Scotland ‘have apologised to the individual’, the spokesman confirmed, adding: ‘Our review into the policing of the event on September 4 is concluding and we will update any learning captured through the Scottish Police Authority.’
Ms Smith is part of the group which successfully took the Scottish Government to court over the legal definition of a woman – was at an event outside the Scottish Parliament in September where there was a confrontation with a counter-protester.