Dr McFarlane, 61, who works with NHS Highland, was arrested and charged in August for allegedly using social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to post defamatory and offensive comments about Ellie Wilson, a woman raped by his son, Daniel McFarlane.
It has since emerged that the doctor contributed £1 for each day his son has spent in prison to Justice for Innocent Men Scotland (JIMS), a group that claims to campaign against wrongful convictions.
However, critics have labelled JIMS a “rapists’ rights group”, accusing it of targeting survivors of sexual violence and spreading misinformation about rape cases.
A spokesperson for the group confirmed the donation, saying:
“Dr Andrew McFarlane is one of our more generous donors. His contribution of £1,200 represents £1 for every day his son has been imprisoned.”
Daniel McFarlane was jailed for five years in 2022 after being convicted of raping Wilson on two occasions between December 2017 and February 2018. His parole application was rejected earlier this year, though he continues to maintain his innocence.
JIMS said the funds would support the production of a documentary exploring what it calls “the human cost of wrongful convictions”.
But Wilson, 28, a rape survivor and campaigner who waived her right to anonymity, said she was “beyond disgusted” by McFarlane’s actions.
“It is utterly abhorrent that a group known to harass victims of rape is now raising funds to portray convicted rapists as victims,” she said. “It’s even more sickening that my rapist’s father is supporting this project, despite overwhelming evidence including taped and written confessions.”
JIMS has also described Wilson as “a government agent”, alleging on social media that she is backed by “the police, courts, and BBC”. The organisation has previously supported other convicted rapists, including Kyle Beveridge, who received a 16-year sentence in 2023 for multiple counts of rape and abuse.
Pam Gosal, Scottish Conservative MSP and anti-domestic abuse advocate, condemned the group:
“Why do these so-called ‘men’s rights’ groups blame the woman instead of the convicted rapist? Survivors like Ellie Wilson deserve far better.”
Police Scotland confirmed McFarlane had been charged in connection with communications offences and would appear in court at a later date.
JIMS continues to deny harassing anyone, insisting its mission is to “restore the principle of fair trials in Scotland”.
