Nigel Farage is facing a party revolt in Scotland (Image: Getty)
Reform UK is on the brink of a civil war over the issue of transgender women in female prisons and in a particularly unflattering twist, Nigel Farage has been compared to Nicola Sturgeon. Reform has been engulfed in a trans row ever since the insurgent party's new justice adviser spoke out against a blanket ban on trans women being imprisoned in women's jails.
Vanessa Frake, a former prison governor, said on Monday that some transgender criminals should be imprisoned in women’s jails. Farage’s backing is understood to have dismayed some party figures leading him to face a party revolt in Scotland. Reform was then blasted by author JK Rowling over its support of housing men in women's prisons, which also goes against the recent Supreme Court ruling.
Article continues belowADVERTISEMENT
What Causes Incontinence? Things Women 50+ Need To KnowWomenBuzz |
Learn More
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
State pension update as ‘millions have been underpaid' despite reform
Welsh First Minister refused to read rape gang briefing with more than six bullet points
Suspended nurse left 'feeling like a pariah' after trans patient sex row
This is why Reform are about to send shockwaves through the political landscape
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven breaks silence on being banned from tournaments
Kemi Badenoch has a new reason to lose sleep over Reform UK
Nicola Sturgeon launches extraordinary attack on Nigel Farage: 'Odious!'
Only Reform is willing to say things about immigration that Labour and the Tories won't
Tennis bosses blasted for 'encouraging trans players to compete against women'
Reform and Labour at war over nation's water crisis
Is Labour's Rushanara Ali really so stupid as she's coming across right now?
Five Nicola Sturgeon bombshells in sneak peek at new autobiography
Nigel Farage announces another defection to Reform in latest Tory blow
Reform UK's huge boost as Nigel Farage snatches key support from Labour and Tories
Nigel Farage issues 8-word statement after Reform trans row erupts
M&S issues update after teenage girl approached by trans employee while shopping for a bra
Politics LIVE: Britain no longer 'safe haven' for women and girls
Reform says small boat 'invasion' puts UK women and girls 'at risk of assault'
State pension update as women get huge ￡81-a-week boost
I'm a Reform councillor at 18 - friends won't talk to me but it's worth it
State pension update as ‘millions have been underpaid' despite reform
Welsh First Minister refused to read rape gang briefing with more than six bullet points
Suspended nurse left 'feeling like a pariah' after trans patient sex row
This is why Reform are about to send shockwaves through the political landscape
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven breaks silence on being banned from tournaments
Kemi Badenoch has a new reason to lose sleep over Reform UK
Nicola Sturgeon launches extraordinary attack on Nigel Farage: 'Odious!'
Only Reform is willing to say things about immigration that Labour and the Tories won't
Tennis bosses blasted for 'encouraging trans players to compete against women'
Reform and Labour at war over nation's water crisis
Is Labour's Rushanara Ali really so stupid as she's coming across right now?
Five Nicola Sturgeon bombshells in sneak peek at new autobiography
Nigel Farage announces another defection to Reform in latest Tory blow
Reform UK's huge boost as Nigel Farage snatches key support from Labour and Tories
Nigel Farage issues 8-word statement after Reform trans row erupts
M&S issues update after teenage girl approached by trans employee while shopping for a bra
Politics LIVE: Britain no longer 'safe haven' for women and girls
Reform says small boat 'invasion' puts UK women and girls 'at risk of assault'
State pension update as women get huge ￡81-a-week boost
I'm a Reform councillor at 18 - friends won't talk to me but it's worth it
State pension update as ‘millions have been underpaid' despite reform
Welsh First Minister refused to read rape gang briefing with more than six bullet points
Suspended nurse left 'feeling like a pariah' after trans patient sex row
This is why Reform are about to send shockwaves through the political landscape
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven breaks silence on being banned from tournaments
Kemi Badenoch has a new reason to lose sleep over Reform UK
Nicola Sturgeon launches extraordinary attack on Nigel Farage: 'Odious!'
READ MORE: Disaster for Starmer as incredible graph shows how much trouble he's really in
READ MORE: Boost for Nigel Farage as women back Reform over migration and cost of living
The Supreme Court rules that the definition of a woman refers to biological sex.
A victory for common sense. pic.twitter.com/NcYOKi5mCb
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) April 16, 2025
Clarifying his stance on the matter Farage then took to X on Tuesday to say: "I have never supported men in women’s prisons."
It comes after the Supreme Court in April ruled that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the 2010 Equality Act "refer to a biological woman and biological sex".
However, in contrast Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative MP who was previously Reform UK’s immigration and justice spokeswoman, later said that it was Reform UK’s policy to place some trans women in women’s prisons.
Sponsored
Book Now
Fly New York to Paris in Luxury with La Compagnie
Undo
But she said this was only for biological males who have had their body extensively altered in gender transition surgery.
This has led to anger within Reform, especially in Scotland where the trans topic is even more prominent. The issue was brought to the forefront in 2022 after transgender rapist was originally sent to a female prison. Adam Graham, known as Isla Bryson, was then moved to a men's facility with the case sparking a heated debate.
Farage has been compared unflatteringly to Nicola Sturgeon (Image: Getty)
Sturgeon failed to say whether Bryson was a man or a woman, instead just calling him a rapist. The former first minister was a staunch advocate of transgender rights and insisted she did not need to say sorry for legislation tabled by her government that would have allowed biological men to identify as another gender by simply signing a declaration, thereby allowing them access single-sex facilities.
Just yesterday Reform's Sarah Pochin issued a tweet that "Under a Reform UK government, a biological man will never be sent to a women’s prison".
However, according to Rael Braverman, the husband to Tory MP Suella Braverman, the message is "too late". Mr Braverman, who quit Reform last month after just six months, claimed that Mr Farage is experiencing his own "Sturgeon" moment.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
State pension update as ‘millions have been underpaid' despite reform
Welsh First Minister refused to read rape gang briefing with more than six bullet points
Suspended nurse left 'feeling like a pariah' after trans patient sex row
This is why Reform are about to send shockwaves through the political landscape
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven breaks silence on being banned from tournaments
Kemi Badenoch has a new reason to lose sleep over Reform UK
Nicola Sturgeon launches extraordinary attack on Nigel Farage: 'Odious!'
Only Reform is willing to say things about immigration that Labour and the Tories won't
Tennis bosses blasted for 'encouraging trans players to compete against women'
Reform and Labour at war over nation's water crisis
Is Labour's Rushanara Ali really so stupid as she's coming across right now?
Five Nicola Sturgeon bombshells in sneak peek at new autobiography
Nigel Farage announces another defection to Reform in latest Tory blow
Reform UK's huge boost as Nigel Farage snatches key support from Labour and Tories
People in Virginia Use This Service to Cut Tax Debt (Check Eligibility)Forbes |
Learn More
Undo
Nigel Farage issues 8-word statement after Reform trans row erupts
M&S issues update after teenage girl approached by trans employee while shopping for a bra
Read More
Undo
Politics LIVE: Britain no longer 'safe haven' for women and girls
Reform says small boat 'invasion' puts UK women and girls 'at risk of assault'
Why Walgreens Hides This Cheap 87￠ Generic CialisFriday Plans |
Learn More
Undo
State pension update as women get huge ￡81-a-week boost
I'm a Reform councillor at 18 - friends won't talk to me but it's worth it
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health |
Click Here
Undo
State pension update as ‘millions have been underpaid' despite reform
Welsh First Minister refused to read rape gang briefing with more than six bullet points
Lara Is Retiring - Her Final Jewelry Pieces Are 80% OffArtisan Weekly |
Read More
Undo
Suspended nurse left 'feeling like a pariah' after trans patient sex row
This is why Reform are about to send shockwaves through the political landscape
She’s 75 and Retiring - Her Handcrafted Jewelry Is 80% OFFDurham News |
Read More
Undo
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven breaks silence on being banned from tournaments
Kemi Badenoch has a new reason to lose sleep over Reform UK
People in Ashburn are Loving Martha Stewart's Meal KitMarley Spoon |
Undo
Nicola Sturgeon launches extraordinary attack on Nigel Farage: 'Odious!'
Only Reform is willing to say things about immigration that Labour and the Tories won't
Here's How You Can Lose Weight Without Giving Up Your FavoritesNoom |
Go To Quiz
Undo
Tennis bosses blasted for 'encouraging trans players to compete against women'
Reform and Labour at war over nation's water crisis
Tired of the Same Meals? Explore 100+ Weekly Recipes With HelloFreshHelloFresh |
Get Offer
Undo
Is Labour's Rushanara Ali really so stupid as she's coming across right now?
Five Nicola Sturgeon bombshells in sneak peek at new autobiography
99% of Women With Incontinence Don’t Know This New Bladder Strengthening TrickWomenBuzz |
Learn More
Undo
Nigel Farage announces another defection to Reform in latest Tory blow
Reform UK's huge boost as Nigel Farage snatches key support from Labour and Tories
Nigel Farage issues 8-word statement after Reform trans row erupts
M&S issues update after teenage girl approached by trans employee while shopping for a bra
Politics LIVE: Britain no longer 'safe haven' for women and girls
Reform says small boat 'invasion' puts UK women and girls 'at risk of assault'
State pension update as women get huge ￡81-a-week boost
I'm a Reform councillor at 18 - friends won't talk to me but it's worth it
State pension update as ‘millions have been underpaid' despite reform
Welsh First Minister refused to read rape gang briefing with more than six bullet points
Suspended nurse left 'feeling like a pariah' after trans patient sex row
This is why Reform are about to send shockwaves through the political landscape
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven breaks silence on being banned from tournaments
Kemi Badenoch has a new reason to lose sleep over Reform UK
Nicola Sturgeon launches extraordinary attack on Nigel Farage: 'Odious!'
THIS 5 Min Quiz Tells You What Your Body Actually Needs To Lose WeightNoom
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Ashburn Family Cancels Care Home After Japanese DeviceUS Medicine Today
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
HelloFresh Just Got Fresher — 2+ Veggies Per Meal + Seasonal ProduceHelloFresh
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Experts Link This Common Food to Memory Loss and Dementia (See story)Memory Health
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
It’s too late. The damage is done.
I call it a “Sturgeon” moment. https://t.co/8rYJQgsZNa
— Rael Braverman (@raelbrav) August 6, 2025
Responding to Ms Ponchin's video Mr Braverman said: "It’s too late. The damage is done. I call it a 'Sturgeon' moment."
He earlier said: "Deary me…this is reminding me of Sturgeon’s nightmare on the trans issue. We won’t, we might, we could, perhaps, if, maybe, we should..but we won’t."
Asked for clarification on their position on trans women in female jails, Reform’s spokeswoman in Scotland, Claire Mackie-Brown said: "The SNP, Labour and even fringe parties like the Tories backed gender recognition and self-identification. We stand for common sense: only biological women belong in female prisons and women's spaces - no ifs, or buts."
Read Next
SUBSCRIBEInvalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy