Scottish Greens MSP Q Manivannan has drawn sharp criticism for claiming that rape exists on a spectrum. These remarks were made during a February 2025 recording for a podcast called The Subjective Space.
The 'spectrum of rape' claims on The Subjective Space
During a conversation with Dr Sindhu Rajasekaran for The Subjective Space, MSP Q Manivannan suggested that the public's distaste for rape is often directed at a "myth of this monster rapist" rather than the act itself. according to the report, Manivannan argued that rape is a "spectrum of things that constitute one homogenised word," suggesting that rapists should not be demonised.
Manivannan further asserted that the image of the "big burly man" as the primary perpetrator is a misconstruction, arguing that "any individual is capable of rape." These comments, which have since circulated via social media clips, have led critics to describe the MSP as a threat to victims due to what they perceive as a warped view of sexual violence.
Tracy Gilbert's demand for a full retraction
The comments have triggered a swift political response,most notably from Scottish Labour MP Tracy Gilbert. As reported, Gilbert stated she was "alarmed" by the remarks, flatly rejecting the notion that a spectrum of rape exists or that there is any spectrum regarding the suffering of survivors.
To anchor the gravity of the issue, Tracy Gilbert cited statistics showing that 9 in 10 rape survivors knew their attacker, with half identifying the perpetrator as a current or former partner. Gilbert has called for a full retraction and apology from Q Manivannan, while urging Scottish Green Party figures Gillian MacKay and Ross Greer to clarify that these views do not represent official party policy.
The Global Talent visa hurdle for Q Manivannan
Beyond the ideological controversy, Q Manivannan's tenure in the Edinburgh and Lothian East region is tied to their legal residency status. The report notes that Manivannan, who is trans non-binary, is currently in Scotland on a student visa, which limits work to 20 hours per week during term time and prohibits filling permanent vacancies.
To serve a full five-year parliamentary term in Holyrood, Q Manivannan must secure either a graduate visa or a Global Talent visa. the latter would provide the necessary legal framework to live and work in the UK for the duration of the parliamentary term and beyond, making the timing of this public controversy particularly sensitive.
The missing context of the full February interview
In response to the backlash, Q Manivannan claims that the circulating clips have been misrepresented and stripped of their original context. Manivannan, who identifies as a survivor of sexual violence, argued that their point regarding "demonisation" was intended to highlight that perpetrators do not always fit a specific stereotype and that all types of men can commit these crimes.
However, a significant gap remains in the public record: the full, unedited recording of the February 2025 interview has not been widely released to verify whether Manivannan's defense aligns with the complete dialogue. While the MSP now insists that rapists should be "punished in the strongest terms," the tension remains between their stated intent and the specific phrasing used in the podcast clips.
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