Ash Denham

Ashten Regan (formerly Denham; born 8 March 1974) is a Scottish politician who served as Minister for Community Safety from 2018 until 2022 when she stepped down in a protest over the Gender Recognition Act. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Edinburgh Eastern since 2016.

Early life

Early years

Ashten Regan was born 8 March 1974 in Glasgow, where her mum, a Protestant, and dad, a Catholic, owned a kilt shop on Sauchiehall Street. Regan attended primary school in Scotland before her family moved to England, growing up in Biggar, Cumbria and later Devon, where Regan attended a sixth form college.

Education

Regan attended Keele University in England from 1992 to 1995, gaining a BA in International Relations. She was writer for ''Concourse'' Magazine, a student newspaper of the Keele University Students' Union. She later went on to earn a diploma in public relation at the London School of Public Relations. In 2007, Regan studied Development Management at the Open University, gaining a MSc in 2012.

Early career

After graduating from Keele University, Regan worked as a PR and Marketing Officer at ScottClem for three years. She then went on to work as a Senior Account Executive at Spreckley Partners, before becoming Events Executive in late 2002 for Zinc Management. From December 2002 to August 2003, Regan was an Account Manager for Rocket PR.

In October 2012, after graduating from OU, she worked remotely at in Digital Marketing at Tearfund. Returning to Scotland, Regan became Head of Campaigns and Advocacy at the Common Weal Scotland, before her election to Holyrood.

Political career

Early political involvement

At a dinner party in 2012, Regan was asked by guests on her opinion on the 2014 Scottish independence vote. Her then husband, who was born in England, assumed Regan would vote 'No', however, after she conducted research she had found her self to be more leaning towards the 'Yes' movement.

Regan joined the Women for Independence and was active in the Yes Scotland campaign. In January 2014 she was elected to the national committee for Women for Independence. She recalled being “really passionate about Scotland becoming an independent country – I felt the arguments were really strong and I wanted Scotland to have more democratic choice”. Regan was an events co-ordinator for YES Scottish Borders.

Election to Holyrood

Following the defeat of the Yes Scotland campaign in the referendum, Regan joined the Scottish National Party. In August 2015, she was selected as the SNP candidate for the Edinburgh Eastern constituency in the upcoming 2016 Scottish Parliament elections after the incumbent MSP Kenny MacAskill, had announced in June that he would not stand for re-election. She was elected, defeating the Leader of the Scottish Labour Kezia Dugdale.

Backbencher

In June 2016, she was appointed as Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs. She was a member of the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee and the Finance and Constitution Committee. In November 2017, she was moved from the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work committee to the Health and Sport Committee, where she was appointed deputy convener.

Community safety minister (2018–2022)

On the 27 June 2018, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced she would perform a cabinet reshuffle of her second government. Sturgeon appointed Regan as the Minister for Community Safety, succeeding Annabelle Ewing.

In April 2019, Regan was one of 15 SNP politicians who signed a public letter calling on the Scottish government to delay reform to the Gender Recognition Act, which would make it easier for transgender people to legally change their gender. Later that month, an exchange was leaked between Regan and SNP lawmakers Gillian Martin and Ruth Maguire, where they expressed frustration at Nicola Sturgeon and claimed she was out of step with the SNP group.

In June 2019, it was reported that a number of her ex-employees received pay-offs worth thousands of pounds and some signed non-disclosure agreements.

In the 2021 Scottish elections, Regan was re-elected, this time increasing her vote share by more than 8,000. Sturgeon reappointed Regan as community safety minister in the Third Sturgeon government.

On 27 October 2022 Regan resigned, citing concerns over the Scottish Government's support of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill. Elena Whitham succeeded her as Minister for Community Safety in November, subject to parliamentary approval.

Personal life

Regan has twin boys. She is divorced, having used to be known as Ash Denham.

References

External links

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profile
at SNP website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Denham, Ash
1974 births
Place of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Alumni of Keele University
Alumni of the Open University
Ministers of the Scottish Government
Female members of the Scottish Parliament
Members of the Scottish Parliament 2016–2021
Members of the Scottish Parliament 2021–2026
Members of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh constituencies
Scottish National Party MSPs