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# Alba Party sees controversy after anti-LGBTQ+ comments
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/alba-party-sees-controversy-after-anti-lgbtq-comments/
- Published: 2021-04-13T14:26:20.000Z
- Updated: 2021-04-13T14:26:20.000Z
- Description: Austin Sheridan has quit his position after Margaret Lynch launched an attack on Stonewall Scotland and LGBT Youth Scotland.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, LGBT Youth Scotland, LGBTQ, Nancy Kelley, Scotland, Stonewall, UK

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/maraget-lynch-600-400-1.jpg)

Margaret Lynch

**Alex Salmond’s** new **Alba Party** in **Scotland** has come under fire after candidate **Margaret Lynch** falsely accused **Stonewall Scotland** and **LGBT Youth Scotland** of campaigning to lower the age of consent. At Alba’s Women’s Conference on **April 10**, Lynch [reportedly](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/alba-candidate-margaret-lynchs-age-of-consent-claims-dangerous-says-stonewall-n09t59dpm?ref=scenemag.co.uk) claimed that the two LGBTQ+ groups were advocating for reducing the age of consent to 10, as they are members of **ILGA World**, which aims to “*eliminate all laws and policies that punish or criminalise same-sex intimacy”*, but does not campaign for lowering the age of consent.

Following her comments, ILGA released a [statement](https://ilga.org/statement-responding-false-allegations-about-ILGA-World?ref=scenemag.co.uk) confirming that it *“categorically, and in no uncertain terms, does not advocate to eliminate or lower the general age of consent, nor supports paedophilia in any way, shape or form – and never has”.* It described Lynch’s words as *“false allegations”,* and said: *“These spurious claims, as old as homophobia itself, are dangerous and irresponsible, and we urge those making or sharing them, to stop.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/stonewall_pride_fac600.png)

**Nancy Kelley**, CEO of Stonewall, and **Colin Macfarlane**, director of Stonewall Scotland, also released a [joint statement ](https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/stonewall-statement-margaret-lynch?ref=scenemag.co.uk)condemning her attack on LGBTQ+ activist groups: *“In making these accusations, she is repeating deeply harmful myths about LGBT+ people as paedophiles and sexual predators. It’s the oldest trick in the homophobic book of lies…We will not stand for this. Her comments have been deeply upsetting for LGBTQ+ people in Scotland and beyond.”* The statement called on Lynch to retract her comments, and asked for Scottish politicians to *“condemn this behaviour and stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities.”*

The organisation shared the statement on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/stonewalluk/status/1381583810043781124?ref=scenemag.co.uk), calling the accusations *“baseless and offensive”*. Many shared words of support for Stonewall, with one social media user [saying](https://twitter.com/BlueMouseEeek/status/1381675493787832324?ref=scenemag.co.uk): *“It is ridiculous that this should even need stating. Anyone with any integrity would know that neither group promotes reducing the age of consent.”* Another [added](https://twitter.com/pennysweets4tw1/status/1381635958009962498?ref=scenemag.co.uk): *“Glad to see you’re taking some kind of action against this. I’d like to see you guys sue, as a bit of backlash is needed in their direction, but an apology is a great start.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/austin-sheridan-600-400.jpg)

Austin Sheridan

Following the controversy, **Austin Sheridan**, a former SNP councillor and Alba member, quit his position and shared a [statement](https://twitter.com/Austin4Glasgow/status/1381506042643763200?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1381506042643763200%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1%5F&ref%5Furl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinknews.co.uk%2F2021%2F04%2F12%2Falba-party-candidate-margaret-lynch-lgbt-youth-scotland-stonewall-age-consent%2F&ref=scenemag.co.uk) on social media where he described Lynch’s words as *“hideous”,* and that there is *“no way I can be part of a party that tolerates such views.”* Lynch has not yet responded to the situation.