Keir Starmer declines to say ‘transwomen are women’ after welcoming court ruling

Thousands of pro-trans rights protesters marched in London on Saturday (Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the ‘clarity’ from last week’s Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex, as he declined to repeat his previous statement that transwomen are women.

The Prime Minister has spoken for the first time on the bombshell court decision after returning from a holiday during Parliament’s Easter recess.

Lord Hodge revealed on Wednesday that his fellow judges had ruled the terms ‘sex’ and ‘woman’ in the Equality Act should be defined biologically, without consideration for Gender Recognition Certificates.

The move has been welcomed by figures in the gender critical movement, including author JK Rowling, while pro-trans groups reacted with dismay.

In a 2022 interview with the Times, Sir Keir said ‘A woman is a female adult, and in addition to that trans women are women, and that is not just my view — that is actually the law.’

Asked to repeat that assertion this morning, the PM instead said: ‘I think the Supreme Court has answered that question.’

Speaking to ITV West Country, he added: ‘I actually welcome the judgment because I think it gives real clarity. It allows those that have got to draw up guidance to be really clear about what that guidance should say.

‘So I think it’s important that we see the judgment for what it is. It’s a welcome step forward.

‘It’s real clarity in an area where we did need clarity, I’m pleased it’s come about.’

Keir Starmer on a visit to St Michael’s Junior School in Bath this morning (Picture: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson went further in an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, saying the ruling meant transwomen should use male toilets.

She said ‘services should be accessed on the basis of biological sex’, but added: ‘I know that many businesses, large and small, will ensure that they have appropriate provision in place.

‘For example, many businesses have moved towards unisex provision or separate cubicles that can be used by anyone.’

When pressed on the issue on Good Morning Britain, Phillipson said: ‘We don’t routinely police toilets and it’s for businesses, including pubs, to decide how they run their premises.

‘But I would hope that that business would make sure that there is a safe and appropriate place for all people to use, including trans people, who do deserve dignity and respect, let’s be clear.’

She condemned incidents of vandalism at a pro-trans march in London at the weekend, describing the defacing of statues and ‘pretty terrible placards’ as ‘just completely unacceptable’.

Phillipson added: ‘We need to move to a situation where we can just treat one another with dignity and respect, that, yes, we maintain single-sex spaces for women, absolutely, the ruling is clear, but trans people too have a right to live their lives free of harassment, free of discrimination.

‘I think that’s a pretty commonsense view that is held by the majority of the British people.’

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