A convicted paedophile co-authored a taxpayer-funded guide on coming out as transgender for children as young as 13. Andrew Easton, 39, was caught by cybercrime officers while chatting online with someone he thought was a vulnerable 13-year-old, whom he referred to as “baby boy.”
Easton, convicted last month at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, contributed to a guide for LGBT Youth Scotland (LGBTYS), which receives significant funding from the Scottish Government and local authorities. He played a role in an early version of the ‘coming out’ guidance issued by the organisation. LGBTYS’s former chief executive, James Rennie, is serving a life sentence for sexually assaulting a baby boy.
Schools, local authorities, the Care Inspectorate, and government-run health and social care authorities have received an updated version of the guide. However, LGBTYS acknowledges that the original guide co-written by Easton may still be in use.
Tory MSP Meghan Gallacher called for an audit of the public funding received by LGBTYS and demanded assurances regarding safeguarding measures.
Easton, from Kennethmont, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire, distributed 32 video files featuring children aged between four and eight years old to other paedophiles. He received a Community Payback Order with three years of supervision, was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and will remain on the sex offenders register for three years.
Educational psychologist Carolyn Brown criticised the guidance, describing it as filled with ‘misinformation’ and ‘manipulative and influencing.’
LGBTYS issued a statement on its website clarifying that Easton has never been an employee or volunteer with the organisation and condemning anyone who exploits or harms young people.
The Scottish Government stated that education authorities are responsible for ensuring visitors undergo disclosure checks, and noted that LGBTYS’s safeguarding policy is an operational matter for the organisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who co-wrote the taxpayer-funded guide on coming out as transgender for children?
Andrew Easton, a convicted paedophile, co-wrote the guide.
What was Andrew Easton convicted of?
He was convicted of internet chats with someone he believed to be a vulnerable 13-year-old.
What organization did Easton help produce the guide for?
He helped produce the guide for LGBT Youth Scotland (LGBTYS).
What measures were taken against Easton after his conviction?
He received a Community Payback Order with supervision for three years and 200 hours of unpaid work.
What is the Scottish Government’s stance on the safeguarding in this situation?
The Scottish Government stated that education authorities are responsible for ensuring visitors undergo disclosure checks.
