Stonewall fails to undermine equality watchdog’s A-grade status

Stonewall has failed to discredit the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), after accusing it of “harming the trans community”.

Activists pushed the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions to launch a Special Review into the EHRC, following the watchdog’s recommendations that the Government should restrict the term “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 to biological sex.

But the UN-affiliated alliance concluded that the EHRC remains “fully compliant” with governing principles, and should retain its “A-status” as a National Human Rights Institution.

‘Spiteful’

EHRC’s Chairwoman Baroness Falkner of Margravine stated: “I can reassure all those we work with, and the British public we serve, that we take great pride in our independence from government.

“But it is important too, to maintain our independence from activist organisations wishing to unduly influence our legal opinions and policy.”

Maya Forstater, Executive Director of Sex Matters, commented: “This surely must end the trans activist lobby’s spiteful campaign to undermine the EHRC.”

She added: “It was only after the EHRC withdrew from Stonewall’s Diversity Champions scheme in 2021 that the trans activist lobby’s attempts to sabotage the EHRC began.”

Accusations

Last year, the equality watchdog dropped an internal investigation into Lady Falkner after she was accused of ‘attempting to undermine trans rights’.

In May, Channel 4 News reported that the Baroness was under investigation following staff allegations of “bullying”, “harassment” and “discrimination”, and claims the EHRC had been “severely politically compromised”.

But after former Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch ordered an independent review of the handling of the complaints, the EHRC closed its inquiry and pledged to address its “process failures”.