'Someone's taking the p***': Fury as Scotland's first ever male period dignity officer is appointed

16 August 2022, 09:35 | Updated: 16 August 2022, 14:31

Jason Grant has been appointed new period dignity officer
Jason Grant has been appointed new period dignity officer. Picture: Grainger PR/Alamy

By Daisy Stephens

There is outrage in Scotland after the SNP appointed a 'period dignity officer' who is male.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Jason Grant, a former personal trainer from Dundee, was given the post for the Tay region of Scotland.

His roles will include promoting access to free sanitary products after the Period Products Act came into force in Scotland on Monday.

But many women expressed outrage at the decision to give the appointment to a man.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova described the decision to appoint him as "absurd", while British actress Frances Barber said she was "fuming".

Read more: Royal Navy 'set to back out' of patrolling Channel against illegal migrant crossings

Read more: No plans for royal reunion: Harry and Meghan 'won't meet' Wills and Kate on UK trip amid brothers feud

"Come on, somebody’s taking the p***," wrote one woman on Twitter.

"As part of the SNP’s approach to delivering period dignity, a Dundee man has taken on a pioneering new role."

Sturgeon is 'letting down the people of Scotland' says think tank boss

Another wrote: "As part of the SNP’s approach to delivering period dignity, they have appointed a Dundee man, Jason Grant, yes, I kid you not, a man, to a newly appointed role as period dignity officer for the Tayside region... the SNP really do take the proverbial."

A third encouraged Mr Grant to step down, writing: "Jason Grant, if you're reading any of this, you should step down and leave that job to a woman. Weirdo."

But Mr Grant has welcomed the position - and suggested having a man in the role could benefit everyone because trans men also have periods.

Read more: Holiday heartbreak after British boy, 14, drowns in hotel pool 'while celebrating family wedding'

Read more: Massive explosion rocks Crimea in suspected Ukraine attack on Russian ammo dump

"I'm absolutely buzzing about it," he told the Dundee Courier.

"It's definitely pioneering as Scotland is the first to do this.

"It's about making people aware of the availability of period products for anyone of any gender, whenever they need it.

"And it’s important whatever we do is done with dignity, so people know that there’s no judgement."

Mr Grant previously worked as an account manager with Imperial Tobacco. He then became a personal trainer with his own business and was recently a wellbeing officer for Dundee and Angus College.

The role of period dignity officer comes with a salary of up to £36,126 and is funded by the Scottish government.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Ukrainian searchers clear the rubble after a Russian ballistic missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, early Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Deadly Russian 'ballistic missile strikes' hit Kyiv after Trump accuses Zelenskyy of harming peace talks

A manhunt has been launched for convicted murderer Raymond McCourt

Manhunt for convicted murderer after he went missing from prison - as public warned not to approach

Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff

'I wished I had died', says Flintoff as he reveals he 'thought his face had come off' in horror Top Gear crash

Andrew Bailey said the UK must take impact of trade wars on global economic growth 'very seriously'.

UK can't afford to ignore trade war risks, says Bank governor - as Trump's tariffs cause global disruption and uncertainty

Action urged to close life expectancy gap between men and women

'Men's health in crisis': health leaders call for urgent action to close life expectancy gap between men and women

Disgraced Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein appears in Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of opening arguments in the rape and sexual assault trial against him in New York City on April 23, 2025.

Opening statements start in 'rape' retrial of Harvey Weinstein as court hears disgraced producer used 'unfettered power'

Mini-sheet of stamps showing Dame Vera Lynn in different aspects of her wartime career to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

New stamps mark 80th anniversary of VE Day featuring Dame Vera Lynn and key wartime figures

Piggy bank with money

Retirement savers could boost savings by £1,000 under new plan for small pension pots

Investigation Launched Into Ticketmaster Over Oasis Reunion Ticket Sales

'Definitely Maybe a scam': Oasis fans lose more than £2m in summer reunion ticketing fraud

Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior scores their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium

Liverpool title celebrations on ice as Arsenal draw with Crystal Palace

Serial killer Rose West's underwear to go on public display at true crime museum as murderer's pants sell for £2,000

Rose West's underwear to go on public display at true crime museum as murderer's pants sell for £2,000

Mark Rylance

Oscar winner Mark Rylance hits out at music festivals for turning London park into 'prison camp'

Shocking CCTV footage taken just moments before a fatal collision, shows a Corsa being driven at 87 mph as the driver is jailed for killing his friend in high-speed crash

Watch: Car speeds through residential roads at 87mph moments before fatal crash

A suit worn by Irish actor Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby in the final scenes of Peaky Blinders is to be auctioned.

Suit worn by Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders finale to be auctioned

A toxin produced by E. coli may be driving rates of bowel cancer in young people, scientists have discovered.

Scientists discover source of bowel cancer in young people as 44,000 people affected each year

Exclusive
Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks during the Semafor World Economy Summit 2025

Chancellor Rachel Reeves 'confident' there will be a UK-US trade deal - but insists she won't rush it