BORDERS pupils using gender-neutral toilets have been “waving sanitary products about like flags” and urinating in sanitary bins, according to an elected official.

As well as the reports of the incidents at Jedburgh Grammar School, Galashiels councillor Harry Scott says he has heard stories of girls at Kelso High School going an entire day without a toilet visit after refusing to use the unisex loos.

But a Scottish Borders Council (SBC) spokesperson says that both schools have “no knowledge of these incidents taking place”.

A motion was put forward by Mr Scott at a full council meeting last week demanding the council to consult with pupils and teachers over plans to install gender-neutral toilets at the new Galashiels Academy and Peebles High buildings.

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At Thursday’s meeting, the independent representative said: “Young girls going through certain changes in their life are entitled to extra privacy as far as toilet facilities are concerned.

“They should not have to share with teenage boys or men.”

On the alleged issues at the schools in Jedburgh and Kelso, Mr Scott added: “These young people need to feel safe and comfortable in their surroundings, and to be able to use the facilities on offer without embarrassment or anxiety, whether caused intentionally or otherwise.

“While I’m fully in agreement about providing support for minority groups, that support should be provided without the detriment to others.

“Why is it not possible to have male, female and gender-neutral toilets which would cater for the needs of everyone?”

Mr Scott called for a full consultation on the matter and for the council to publish the results.

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He also advised discussions with the parents of primary school children due to attend the new campuses in the coming years.

Seconding Mr Scott’s motion, independent Selkirkshire councillor Caroline Cochrane backed his calls for a consultation.

“If we’re saying that they [the pupils] are mature enough to share toilet facilities then they are mature enough to decide what they find acceptable and are comfortable with,” she said.

There has been much debate on the pros and cons of gender-neutral toilets.

Those in favour of the unisex facilities say that they can help reduce bullying, as well as being more inclusive to the trans community and to disabled people with carers of the opposite sex.

However, those against the loos say that they threaten the safety of women.