'Inadequate evidence' for gender critical book ban

The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht is a collection of essays about campaigning in Scotland

The decision to withdraw a gender critical book from the National Library of Scotland's centenary display was based on "inadequate evidence and consultation", an investigation has found.

A review found excluding The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht from the exhibition was done without a proper "risk assessment" after a complaint from the library's LGBT staff network.

It was later readmitted following talks between its editors and the National Librarian, Amina Shah, despite concerns over its "discriminatory" content.

A spokesperson for the library said it accepted the findings of the independent probe, carried out by an anonymous Scottish advocate.

The book, co-edited by Susan Dalgety and Lucy Hunter Blackburn, features a series of gender critical essays.

Contributors include Harry Potter author JK Rowling, former SNP MP Joanna Cherry and the former SNP and Alba MSP Ash Regan.

The book received four nominations to appear as one of the 200 books in the "Book That Shaped Me" exhibition, marking 100 years of the National Library in the summer of 2024.

Ms Shah told the BBC podcast Front Row the initial decision to exclude the book was because it "detailed violence, aggression and anger online or in real life," which did not fit with the remit of the exhibition.

She also said she feared that the highly-charged and polarised debate around the issue of gender meant there was a risk of violence to both the authors and staff at the library who had raised concerns.

"It has not been an easy time but it has been a journey of learning and it has widened the discussion and been a reminder of how many people value libraries," she said.

"This is a difficult and divisive topic. It's bigger than us. We have apologised and made amends. We - and libraries generally - have so much work to do, we just want to get on with it."

What were the staff concerns?

Ms Hunter Blackburn said: "We are still considering our response to the very concerning account in this report of events within the National Library, that led to the last-minute decision to exclude our book from the exhibition."

All books nominated underwent screening by staff in order to remove any titles that were "unsuited" to a family-friendly exhibition.

The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht was one of 200 books selected by staff from more than 500 nominations.

Staff told the investigation the book was chosen "because it added to the diversity of views represented," with the exhibition also including texts "with trans perspectives and narratives".

However, in May 2025, members of the LGBT staff network raised concerns that including it would be seen as an endorsement of its views, which they described as "discriminatory and exclusionary".

The review noted members of the staff network intended to "go public" if the book was included and inform the library's partners.

They said they would also feel uncomfortable representing the library at planned Pride events.

The advocate's review found the tone of those claims "threatening and inappropriate".

The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht features a selection of essays on gender critical campaigning in Scotland

Ms Shah accepted their complaints, but the review found she failed to "consult anyone with demonstrable experience or expertise in equalities issues".

The book was restored to the exhibition on 5 September after a meeting between Ms Shah, Ms Dalgety, Ms Hunter Blackburn and the library's chairman, Sir Drummond Bone.

The library apologised to the editors for "not consulting them in the decision making".

A spokesperson for the National Library of Scotland said: "The Library's collections span centuries, and we can use these to explore some of the most pressing issues of our time.

"We aspire to bring people together and encourage respectful and constructive conversation.

"We will always be inclusive, and we will always welcome everyone to the library."