SNP's LGBT+ wing, Erin Lux, reported her to the party over this statement meeting the party's definition for transphobia. Forbes also said that the transgender rapist Isla Bryson, whose case sparked controversy in Scotland, was a man. Members of the Scottish Greens also expressed concern over Forbes's views and suggested that their party might leave their co-operation agreement with the SNP if she became leader. Forbes said that she would not end the co-operation agreement but would not change her economic plans to accommodate the Greens. Following her controversial media appearances during the first two days of her campaign, Forbes took 22 February off. The following day, Forbes released a statement saying that she had listened carefully to the criticism and would pledge to uphold and enhance the rights of minorities. Ash Regan The former community safety minister Ash Regan announced her candidacy on 18 February 2023 and formally launched her campaign on 24 February in North Queensferry. She said she would abandon the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which she resigned her ministerial post in protest against. She said she would seek to introduce new laws to ensure all transgender women go to men's prisons and all transgender men go to women's prisons, suggesting "a trans wing on the prison estate". She said she supported same-sex marriage. On independence, Regan said that instead of Sturgeon's proposal to use the next Scottish Parliament or House of Commons election as a de facto referendum on Scottish independence, she would begin negotiations with the UK government on independence the next time political parties supporting Scottish independence received more than half of the vote collectively in an election to either parliament. She said she would establish a constitutional convention with other political parties and organisations that support Scottish independence. She described the SNP as having "dismantled the Yes campaign", saying that she wanted campaign groups to have a greater role in determining the route to Scottish independence. Regan said she wanted to slow down plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by phasing out extraction of oil and natural gas from the North Sea. She also committed to prioritising upgrading roads, including converting the A9 road to a dual carriageway faster than planned. Regan was considered the candidate that would represent the biggest change from Sturgeon. She said she would not introduce laws that would "[make] things more difficult for businesses" or "interfere with