Keir Starmer finally broke his silence on the landmark gender ruling today as he welcomed ‘clarity’.
The PM hailed a ‘step forward’ by the Supreme Court as he faced questions on a visit to promote the government’s pilot scheme for free breakfast clubs in schools.
He also said a ‘woman is an adult female’ when asked whether he believed a trans woman is a woman.
Sir Keir told the BBC: ‘I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court, which has given us clarity, much-needed clarity, and I think for those that are now drawing up guidance, it’s a much clearer position.
‘So I’m really pleased that the court has now clarified the position.
‘We can move on from there and I think that’s been very helpful, and I would welcome that.’
Pressure has been mounting for Sir Keir to give a direct response, nearly a week after the Supreme Court decided that a woman is defined by biological sex.
He has also not commented on death threats made against women campaigners in the wake of the judgment – or to vandalism at recent trans rights protests.
Equalities Secretary Bridget Phillipson said this morning that the government was ‘crystal clear’ that it ‘welcomes’ the ruling. She said trans women should use male toilets.
Ms Phillipson is due to make a statement to Parliament this afternoon.
However, some Labour ministers have privately suggested they could resist the implications.
Keir Starmer is expected to face questions as he promotes the government’s pilot scheme for free breakfast clubs
Equalities Secretary Bridget Phillipson said this morning that the government was ‘crystal clear’ that it ‘welcomes’ the ruling
In WhatsApp messages uncovered by The Mail on Sunday, culture minister Sir Chris Bryant agreed with an MP criticising equality watchdog chief Baroness Falkner after she said the ruling meant trans women could not use women’s toilets or compete in women’s sports.
Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle added: ‘We need to organise.’
Downing Street has said it will take no disciplinary action against the ministers, saying they were not trying to undermine the ruling.
Speaking to local media this morning, Sir Keir was asked to repeat his previously statement that ‘transwomen are women’.
Instead he replied: ‘I think the Supreme Court has answered that question.’
Asked if that means he does not believe a transwoman is a woman, he told ITV West Country: ‘A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear.
‘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.
‘We need to move and make sure that we now ensure that all guidance is in the right place according to that judgment.’
Ms Phillipson told BBC Breakfast: ‘I do welcome the clarity that the Supreme Court judgment has brought in this area, making clear that biological sex is the basis on which single-sex spaces are provided.’
She said there would be more guidance for schools on gender-questioning children and ‘the heart of everything we do has to be about making sure that children’s wellbeing is supported, but also that school leaders in particular have the clarity and guidance that they want’.
Ms Phillipson added: ‘We recognise and believe in the importance of single-sex spaces.
‘Before I was a Member of Parliament I used to run a women’s refuge, so I know more than most how essential it is that women, particularly those who’ve experienced sexual violence and male abuse, are able to have safe, therapeutic environments, and that’s why there has always been protection there within the law for single-sex spaces.
‘There has been some confusion. I’m glad that’s been cleared up, because providers can now operate with absolute confidence in delivering single-sex spaces for biological women.’
Ms Phillipson said trans women should use male toilets, but suggested that businesses should ensure ‘they have appropriate provision in place’, which could mean unisex facilities.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the Supreme Court ruling was clear that ‘services should be accessed on the basis of biological sex’.
‘But I know that many businesses, large and small, will ensure that they have appropriate provision in place,’ she said.
‘For example, many businesses have moved towards unisex provision or separate cubicles that can be used by anyone.’
She added: ‘There are important questions around, for example, the use of toilets, around the use of changing facilities, but there are also profound questions that I think are even more important about, for example, hospital provision, rape crisis centres, women’s refuges, where you are talking about people often being in that provision on an accommodation basis for an extended period of time.
‘And I think it is important and welcome that the Supreme Court have put beyond doubt that providers can make sure that is done on the basis of biological sex.’
Ms Phillipson also dismissed the claims of Labour splits, saying: ‘I speak for the Government on this matter and I can be crystal clear with you that we welcome the ruling.
‘We will make sure that the EHRC work with us to bring forward guidance to address those areas where, through both the guidance and the statutory code of practice, providers have further clarity that is needed.’
The Cabinet minister condemned the ‘completely unacceptable’ scenes at protests following the Supreme Court ruling.
Seven statues around Parliament Square in Westminster were daubed with graffiti during a trans rights protest on Saturday.
Ms Phillipson said: ‘What we have seen in recent days, where it comes to defacing of statues, some pretty terrible placards that have been displayed in protests around the country, it really is just completely unacceptable.
‘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.’
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the judgment and condemned weekend protests.
Commenting on placards carrying death threats against author and campaigner JK Rowling, the Tory leader said: ‘A mob of trans-activists waving death threats at women isn’t protest – it’s criminal incitement.
‘If the law isn’t enforced, we don’t have equality, we have twotier justice. It’s time for Labour to stop being on the side of these extremists.’
Rowling, a former Labour donor, wrote on X: ‘It continues to astound that Kemi Badenoch remains the only UK political leader offering unequivocal solidarity to women.’
Ms Badenoch has made no secret of her support for the campaign spearheaded by prominent figures such as Rowling
On Sunday night Ms Badenoch took to the X social media site to highlight images of protest placards with messages such as ‘kill JK Rowling’
The Harry Potter author said it was ‘astounding’ that Ms Badenoch was the only UK political leader offering vocal backing
