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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Stephanie Brawn

Findings from probe into drag queen visit to be revealed to councillors this month

The result of a probe into the controversial visit of a drag queen to a Paisley primary school is expected to be revealed to councillors this month.

An investigation was launched earlier this year by Renfrewshire Council after a drag artist named Flow was invited to read to children at Glencoats Primary School in February as part of LGBT History Month.

It emerged the performer had a sexually explicit online profile, which led to a fierce backlash from parents on social media.

The inquiry was put on hold following the outbreak of coronavirus, but resumed after the summer.

At a meeting of the council's education and children's services board, it was confirmed the probe had now been completed and councillors would be told within the next two to three weeks about any changes to the local authority's policy when it comes to hosting visitors in schools across the region.

However, it has not been made clear whether this information will be made available to the public.

Back in June, director of children's services Steven Quinn confirmed the two-part investigation would delve into the actual incident itself and review general guidance around school visitors.

Mr Quinn told elected members on the board he could not comment on the outcome for any individual members of staff at Glencoats Primary.

"I can confirm we have followed the council procedures in terms of investigating and thereafter any disciplinary procedures which may be required," said Mr Quinn, after Councillor Karen Kennedy queried the progress of the probe.

"I won’t comment on any outcomes or otherwise for individual members of staff.

"What I can say is we are ready - or should be very shortly - to, as we agreed at full council, to provide all members with an update of policy and provision and how we intend to move forward with visitors coming into our schools."

Gordon McKinlay, head of schools, added: "I’ve been asked to pull together the review following the investigation and will be updating all councillors on that within the next two or three weeks."

Flow read a book called 'Kenny Lives with Erica and Martina' to pupils from P1 to P3 during her visit and took part in a Q&A with Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP, Mhairi Black.

Council chiefs apologised at the time for the concern the visit caused and admitted they would not have allowed it to take place had they known about Flow's x-rated online content.

Following the event, headteacher Michelle Watson tweeted she had been subjected to "homophobia and hate" after welcoming Flow into the classroom.

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