A West of Scotland MSP has said it is "absolutely vital" that the Scottish Government rules out transgender sex offenders accessing women-only spaces.

Pam Gosal's calls come after the government's U-turn on allowing transgender rapist Isla Bryson to be held at the country's only all-female prison, Corton Vale.

After coming under fire from the public and other politicians, Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament that Bryson would not be held at the prison, near Stirling.

Ms Gosal, however, is now calling on the Government to go further to prevent criminals from accessing women's spaces.

She said: "Nicola Sturgeon was forced into a humiliating U-turn to prevent dangerous criminals from putting vulnerable women in prison at risk.

"But it is absolutely vital that the SNP Government goes further and protects women in wider society.

"As it stands, it is government policy that sex offenders who change gender should be treated as women.

"That means they may be able to force their way into women's spaces, including changing rooms and shelters for victims of abuse.

"Women's safety must not be put at risk by opening up single-sex spaces to violent criminals.

"The SNP must introduce a permanent ban so that no convicted criminal can exploit the system to access women's spaces."

During the passage of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill at the Scottish Parliament, Ms Gosal submitted amendments that sought to protect women's same-sex spaces, but these were rejected by the Government.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service said: "We do not comment on individuals in our care.

"All trans men and trans women in our care are risk assessed to ensure they are accommodated in a way which meets the rights and needs of the individual, as well as others in the establishment.

"Where there are any concerns about any risks posed by an individual, either to themselves or others, we retain the ability to keep them separate from the mainstream population until an agreed management plan is in place."

A Scottish Government spokesperson added: "The UK Equality Act sets out how single sex spaces and services can be offered and what restrictions and exceptions can apply and guidance for services is provided by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

"It is reserved legislation and any calls for change should be raised directly with the UK Government."