Scottish Conservative members have called on the Scottish Greens to withdraw the whip from MSP Q Manivannan following a controversy over her past remarks regarding rape. The calls come after footage resurfaced in which Manivannan described rape as existing on a "spectrum," sparking criticism from multiple quarters.

Manivannan, who was elected to the Scottish Parliament representing the Greens in May 2021, made the comments on the Subjective Space podcast in February 2021, prior to her election. In the podcast, she argued that the "demonisation of rape" had contributed to a simplistic view of the offense and suggested that rape could vary depending on different "contexts." She further stated that anyone, including women, could commit rape. These remarks were criticised by feminist campaigners who said they demonstrated a lack of understanding of the trauma and violation associated with sexual violence.

The Scottish Tories, led by Equalities Spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher, condemned the remarks as “appalling” and accused Manivannan of minimising the seriousness of rape. Gallacher said the failure to suspend Manivannan would send a "horrendous message" to victims, urging the Scottish Greens’ co-leaders, Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay, to take disciplinary action by removing the whip from the MSP. She said it was "deeply alarming" that an elected representative would suggest there was a spectrum of offences when it comes to rape.

Reform UK previously called for Manivannan’s suspension over the issue, making Scottish Conservatives the second party to do so. In addition, Reem Alsalem, the United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, publicly stated on social media that rape should never be discussed in terms of a spectrum.

Manivannan has since apologised for the remarks, maintaining that her intention was to highlight how society often holds a narrow definition of rape and sexual violence. She affirmed that perpetrators should be punished "in the strongest terms." The Scottish Greens have defended Manivannan, asserting that her comments were "deliberately taken out of context."

The incident adds to ongoing debates about language and approaches to sexual violence within political discourse in Scotland. No formal disciplinary action has been announced by the Scottish Greens as of yet.