A former adviser to Suella Braverman and Boris Johnson is being considered for a position at a Scottish disability charity. Rory Geoghegan, a former police officer who has worked for several right-wing think tanks, has been nominated for a place on the board of Disability Equality Scotland, which is funded by the Scottish Government. However, his views, including defending attendees of a far-right rally organized by Tommy Robinson, have raised concerns.
Geoghegan has previously called for UK police to be armed and advocated for increased use of stop and search powers, a practice criticized for unfairly targeting ethnic minorities. He has also criticized “open border” immigration policies as “naive and reckless.” Earlier this year, he clashed with the Metropolitan Police over their characterization of a rally organized by Robinson as “extreme right.”
In addition, Geoghegan has weighed in on debates surrounding policing in England, criticizing what he sees as “two-tier” policing that favors left-wing protesters. He has also criticized police officers for embracing the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd.
A source at Disability Equality Scotland stated that Geoghegan’s views are “incompatible” with the organization’s values, and Greens MSP Maggie Chapman expressed concern over his potential appointment. However, Kayla-Megan Burns, convenor of Disability Equality Scotland’s board, clarified that Geoghegan is allowed to stand for election, with the final decision resting with the members.
The Scottish Government declined to comment on the appointment process, stating that it is up to Disability Equality Scotland. Geoghegan was approached for comment but has not responded.
In light of the controversy surrounding his nomination, it remains to be seen whether Geoghegan will be elected to the board of Disability Equality Scotland. The situation has sparked a debate about the compatibility of his views with the values of the organization and the implications of his potential role in advising an equality-focused charity.