Nicola Sturgeon's resignation hailed by estranged wife of trans rapist Isla Bryson who blasts gender reforms for going 'too far'

George McMillan

By George McMillan


Published: 15/02/2023

- 16:25

Isla Bryson was convicted of two rapes in Scotland between 2016 and 2019

The estranged wife of transgender rapist Isla Bryson has shared her joy at Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation.

Shonna Graham, 31, said the Scottish First Minister had "shot herself in the foot" with her push to implement more liberal gender laws.


She accused the SNP leader's plans of having put the welfare of a rapist over the demands of other women.

Bryson was convicted in January at Glasgow High Court of raping two women in Scotland while still known as a man, Adam Graham.

Isla Bryson, 31, formerly known as Adam Graham, from Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, arrives at the High Court in Glasgow. Following a six-day trial at the High Court a jury has found the transgender woman guilty of raping two women when she was a man: one in Clydebank in 2016 and one in Drumchapel, Glasgow, in 2019. Picture date: Monday January 23, 2023.
Isla Bryson was convicted in January.
Andrew Milligan

During the trial, she claimed that she had identified as being transgender from the age of four.

The court also heard that Bryson is currently taking hormones and seeking surgery to complete gender reassignment.

Bryson was imprisoned in segregation at Cornton Vale women’s jail near Stirling after being convicted, but was later moved to the male estate as a result of public outcry.

The Scottish Prison Service carried out an urgent review of the case and made recommendations on the management of transgender prisoners.

Graham said she was "delighted" to see Sturgeon go, adding: “She shot herself in the foot over and over again, and I’m delighted she’s gone.

“I’m all in favour of transgender rights, but this policy went too far and ended up putting a rapist, who still had all his bits, in a woman’s prison”.

Sturgeon announced her resignation today following a number of mounting controversies against her, including her Gender Recognition Bill.

The First Minister wanted to allow trans people to obtain a gender recognition certificate through a process known as “self-identification” and without the need for a medical diagnosis.

The Bill was later blocked by the UK Government.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaking during a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh where she has announced that she will stand down as First Minister of Scotland after eight years. Picture date: Wednesday February 15, 2023.
Nicola Sturgeon resigned as First Minister of Scotland.
Jane Barlow

Last week, Bryson’s mother came out to reveal that she had never shown any signs of wanting to be a girl.

“My son never expressed any wish to me that he wanted to be a girl, dressed in any other way or ever asked to be called by any other name than Adam growing up”, Janet Bryson told the Sunday Mail.

"Never once, at the age of four or at any other age.

“I would understand it more if this had been something he had been doing for years but that’s just not the case.”

She later continued: “"I understand why people have been so worried about someone like Adam, who has done what he has done, being sent to a prison full of women.”

Isla Bryson will be sentenced later this month.

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