> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Alex Salmond defends Margaret Lynch after anti-LGBTQ+ comments
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/alex-salmond-defends-margaret-lynch-after-anti-lgbtq-comments/
- Published: 2021-04-14T14:30:23.000Z
- Updated: 2021-04-14T11:02:19.000Z
- Description: Alba leader Alex Salmond has defended party candidate Margaret Lynch after she attacked Stonewall and LGBT Youth Scotland.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, ILGA World, LGBT Youth Scotland, LGBTQ, Scotland, SNP, Stonewall Scotland

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

**Alba** leader **Alex Salmond** has defended party candidate **Margaret Lynch** after she [falsely accused](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/alba-party-sees-controversy-after-anti-lgbtq-comments/) **Stonewall Scotland** and **LGBT Youth Scotland** of campaigning to lower the age of consent during Alba’s Women’s Conference on **April 10** **.** Lynch’s comments saw widespread backlash from LGBTQ+ activists and advocacy groups, with Stonewall requesting that she retract her comments, asking Scottish politicians to *“condemn this behaviour and stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities.”*

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

Margaret Lynch

However, Salmond has stood by Lynch following the controversy, releasing a [statement](https://www.albaparty.org/alba%5Fdraws%5Fa%5Fline?ref=scenemag.co.uk) where he argued that the conference was a *“safe space…where Alba women were encouraged to express their concerns over a range of subjects.”* He added: *“Women participating are entitled to do so without being subjected to Twitter pile-ons or even worse threats of violence…Margaret Lynch was defending the rights of women in Scottish society.”*

He insisted that he *“would never tolerate any homophobic behaviour”,* but said: *“Women are entitled to raise concerns without being targeted in this fashion.”* According to [*The National*](https://www.thenational.scot/news/19227621.alba-report-snp-green-holyrood-candidates-police-twitter-comments/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), Alba has reported candidates from both the **SNP** and **Scottish Greens** to the police, alleging that they threatened violence against Lynch. Scottish Greens said the *“unacceptable”* tweet in question has since been removed, but still condemned Lynch’s comments, referring to them as *“dangerous and sinister”.*

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