Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch has been attacked for upholding the reality of biological sex.
The BBC’s former LGBT correspondent Ben Hunte accused the MP of going on an “anti-LGBTQ rant” by questioning transgender ideology in an audio recording from 2018.
Hunte has not released the audio file but accused Badenoch of challenging the push to “have men using women’s bathrooms”, using the word “transsexuals” and ‘misgendering’ men who claim to be women.
Allegations
The BBC recently admitted that an article written by Hunte on suicide among gender-confused youngsters was one-sided and endangered vulnerable people.
But on the strength of his allegations on the VICE website, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner branded Badenoch’s remarks: “disgusting”.
The SNP’s John Nicholson – Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT+ Rights – accused her of being “someone who clearly harbours extreme hostility to trans people”.
Controversial lobby group Stonewall also announced that it was “shocked” by the comments attributed to the Minister.
Public support
But members of the public expressed support for Badenoch.
One tweeted: “Taking the word of a journalist with an axe to grind is not a good look.” Another asked: “What did she say that was shocking?”
In response to Hunte’s accusations, a Government spokesperson said: “This 2018 comment has been taken out of context, with the Minister making a clear point about striking the balance for equality and fairness when there are multiple and often competing demands between different groups. It should not be used to misrepresent her views.”
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