Latest news with #equalityact
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Trans supporters stage protest outside Hull Crown Court
Protestors gathered outside a court to show support for trans people following the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a were called to Hull Crown Court at about 10:30 BST on Thursday following reports of a activist, who was part of the group, said 15 people - aged between 16 and 51 - were Police said the protest came to "a peaceful conclusion", adding one protestor was spoken to by officers after "concerns were raised by court security staff". The force said it attended "to allow people to go about their lawful business" and to "protect the right of individuals" who had chosen to April, judges ruled that when the term "woman" is used in the Equality Act it means a biological woman, and "sex" refers to biological protest group said it wanted people to "judge us on our behaviour and not on our appearance or our transness".In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said: "We are aware of this incident and are investigating as a matter of urgency." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
House of Commons apologises after trans barrister used women's lavatory
The House of Commons has apologised after allowing a trans woman to use female-only lavatories. Robin Moira White, a trans barrister who is a biological male, was told to use the ladies' lavatories in Portcullis House last week before being questioned outside by two women's rights campaigners. It follows a Supreme Court ruling in April that trans women are not women under the Equality Act. The judgment led to the Government saying trans women should use lavatories according to their biological sex. Ms White, who was at Portcullis House to attend a women and equalities committee in which the Supreme Court judgment was discussed, was challenged outside the lavatories by campaigners Kate Harris and Heather Binning. Ms Harris, the co-founder and trustee of the LGB Alliance advocacy group, told The Times: 'We were in the mother of all parliaments and it was not adhering to the law. It was not the fault of staff, who clearly have not been trained in how to deal with these issues.' Commons apologised in email The Commons apologised to Ms Harris and Ms Binning in an email seen by The Times. 'You noted that an individual, understood to be biologically male, had seemingly been directed to the female facilities,' the email said. 'At this point you made it clear that you were uncomfortable, left the facilities, and reported the matter to members of my team. 'We acknowledge that it is likely the individual you complained about should have not been directed to the female facilities and we apologise for that.' The email also drew attention to the parliamentary code of conduct which provides 'clear guidelines as to how we expect all users of the parliamentary [estate] to interact with each other'. The incident raises questions around how the Government is implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court, and whether women's spaces are being actively protected. Authorities 'reviewing facilities' A House of Commons spokesman told The Telegraph: 'We continue to act in full compliance with the law as set out in the Supreme Court's judgment and we remain committed to treating all those who work in or visit Parliament with respect, providing support to colleagues where needed. 'Like many organisations, we are awaiting full guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on this issue and are reviewing the facilities that are available on the estate.' Following the Supreme Court ruling, the EHRC told employers, pubs, shops and hospitals that they must all act in line with the Supreme Court ruling and that women-only spaces such as lavatories should be protected. The EHRC said: 'In workplaces and services that are open to the public, trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities and trans men (biological women) should not be permitted to use the men's facilities, as this will mean that they are no longer single-sex facilities and must be open to all users of the opposite sex.'
Sky News
05-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Equalities watchdog writes to GMB union over sexual harassment claims
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has formally written to the GMB union asking for information on how it's complying with the Equality Act following allegations of sexual harassment, victimisation and sex discrimination, Sky News understands. Former staffers and members of the union had launched an official complaint to the equalities watchdog earlier this year over claims of institutional sexism and bullying, but this is the first time it has deemed them serious enough to start inquiries. It's the first step in a possible investigation by the equalities watchdog into activity at the union over systemic sexism, and GMB has just under a month to respond. GMB has said it categorically denies claims of a culture of bullying or sexism within the union. "GMB has been contacted by the EHRC with a request for information," said a statement. "This is a procedural matter and not an investigation. "We look forward to responding properly and professionally to their request." 'Institutionally sexist' In the original complaint, which Sky News has seen, a number of women allege there is a "pattern of victimisation and harassment against women who speak out" about wrongdoing inside the Labour-backed union. They argue it could be a breach of GMB's duties under the Equality Act. GMB is one of the biggest unions in the UK, but has been struggling with its reputation for years. Four years ago, a damning report written by Karon Monaghan KC branded the union "institutionally sexist" and, a number of women who complained to the EHRC insist the union hasn't changed. GMB represents about 630,000 workers in the UK and is one of the Labour Party's major funders. Sir Keir Starmer gave the keynote speech at the GMB conference a year before the last general election and numerous cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are members. This weekend, the union, which prides itself on fighting for people in their own workplaces, will once again meet for its annual conference in Brighton - but this time with looming questions over how fairly it treats its own.
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Trans doctor receives counselling due to the 'incredible distress' of NHS gender tribunal
A trans doctor at the centre of a landmark employment tribunal has claimed the distress of giving evidence forced the medic to undergo counselling. Dr Beth Upton has defiantly spoke out to say 'trans people are not going anywhere' after revealing plans for the money raised by a crowdfunder. Dr Upton, who was born a man, and Fife Health Board are accused of breaching the Equality Act after forcing nurse Sandie Peggie to get changed alongside the trans medic. Mrs Peggie, 50, was suspended from her job at NHS Fife after challenging Dr Upton's presence in the women's only facilities at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. She has lodged a claim of sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation at an employment tribunal. Although Dr Upton has given evidence to the tribunal, the medic has so far failed to comment on the proceedings outside of the court room. The 30-year-old has broken cover to tell supporters they should 'seize any chance to demonstrate that we're [trans people] here, we are loved, and we're not going anywhere'. In a message to those who donated almost £6,000 to a crowdfunder titled: 'Love and treats for Dr Beth Upton', the doctor on Wednesday said the tribunal had been 'incredibly distressing' but urged supporters not to give up the fight. The medic wrote: 'First, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for your kindness and generosity. 'The whole experience has been incredibly distressing and knowing there are people out there who support me and my community means the world to me. 'While this has been a huge personal struggle, I think it's also important to acknowledge the wider context the case exists in and the potential for its effects to impact many in the trans community and beyond. 'I feel we should seize any chance to demonstrate that we're here, we are loved, and we're not going anywhere.' Dr Upton said half of the £5,807 raised for their cause would go towards paying for counselling and time taken off by the medic's wife. It is understood the doctor's legal fees are being covered by the taxpayer via the NHS's Central Legal Office. The doctor wrote: 'Both my wife and I have been blown away by the support shown by all of you and have carefully considered how best to use the funds raised through this thoughtful gesture. 'We believe it's important, given our position, to share that kindness with others. 'With that in mind, we intend to divide the money roughly into two, using half to cover our practical costs related to the tribunal and surrounding experience (e.g. counselling, loss of earnings for my wife, travel and accommodation) and the other half we intend to split amongst several local charities and community groups working to support vulnerable people. 'We must not forget that the rights we do have have been hard fought for and we must continue to fight for those rights and for the rights of others. We must remember that we know ourselves better than others can ever know us and nothing can change who we know ourselves to be.' The message was signed off by Dr Upton and Zoe, the medic's wife, with the words 'love and solidarity'. The employment hearing in Dundee, which will resume in July, was launched before last month's Supreme Court ruling that clarified that the meaning of 'sex' in equalities law refers solely to 'biological' sex. The nurse lodged a claim against the health board and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation. The Mail revealed last week how Mrs Peggie is also suing the Royal College of Nursing for failing to help her in her battle against Fife Health Board. An equivalent fundraiser for Mrs Peggie has garnered around £38,000 worth of donations - all of which is set to go to charity. Last night, Susan Smith of campaign group For Women Scotland said: 'Dr Upton continues to pretend he is the victim, saying the experience has been 'incredibly distressing' and a 'huge personal struggle'. 'Reading this, one might forget the distress caused to a female nurse who objected to his presence in the women's changing room, and the compromise to her dignity and privacy. 'As for a 'struggle', Ms Peggie has the weight of the NHS against her and was unsupported by her own Union. 'Dr Upton, backed by managers and senior colleagues, is certainly not the underdog in this sorry tale and, moreover, pushed the hospital to take action against Sandie.'
Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Sturgeon: Legal definition of a woman may need to change
Nicola Sturgeon has argued the law on the definition of a woman may need to be changed to accommodate trans people after complaining that a Supreme Court ruling had been 'massively over-interpreted'. The former first minister did not dispute that the court was correct that the definition of woman in the Equality Act 2010 was based on biological sex. But she argued that this could be changed to give trans people access to female-only areas as it was for politicians 'to decide what the law should be or has to be.' She said the 'law has to change' if trans people's lives become 'almost impossible' and cited comments from Baroness Hale, the first female president of the Supreme Court. Lady Hale said last week that 'there's nothing in that judgment that says that you can't have gender neutral loos ' and Ms Sturgeon argued that this showed that the ruling had been 'massively over-interpreted.' The former SNP leader made the comments this weekend at the How the Light Gets In festival in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, adding that she had received 'more misogynistic abuse as a result of this issue than any other'. Ms Sturgeon said this was 'ironic' but pledged to 'always' be an ally to trans people 'no matter how difficult that might be.' But For Women Scotland (FWS), the feminist group that won the Supreme Court case against the SNP government, said the real misreading of the law had come from 'trans activists who have spun the most outrageous interpretations.' Ms Sturgeon's government tried the Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill, which would have allowed biological men to change legal gender by simply signing a declaration. The legislation was passed at Holyrood but vetoed by the UK Government over concerns it undermined women's safe spaces. But it has emerged that swathes of Scotland's public sector adopted self-ID all the same, allowing trans people access to female toilets and changing rooms. Experts have warned these practices will have to be scrapped following the Supreme Court's ruling in April that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex, and does not include trans women. Ms Sturgeon has previously claimed some opponents of the GRR Bill were transphobic. In January 2023, the month before she stepped down as first minister, she said: 'You'll also find that they're deeply misogynist, often homophobic, possibly some of them racist as well.' Earlier this month she said she 'fundamentally' disagreed that she should apologise for the Bill, saying FWS did not represent 'every woman in the country.' The Sunday Times reported that Ms Sturgeon told the festival that 'some of the immediate reaction' to the ruling had been over-interpreted. 'But if it is the case that the judgment means we have to move to a situation where trans lives are almost impossible to live then, I'm sorry, but the law has to change because that is not an acceptable way to be,' she said. Ms Sturgeon added: 'Many of those on the other side (of the issue) say it is all about protecting women. Isn't it ironic that I have probably had more misogynistic abuse as a result of this issue that on any other issue in my entire political career. Go figure.' But Susan Smith, a director of FWS, said: 'It would be quite ironic, although not unexpected, if the first female first minister was resolutely sticking to the notion that biological sex is some nebulous concept.' Trans law 'is easy to follow' Dr Lucy Hunter Blackburn, of policy analysts Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, said the court's ruling was 'easy to follow' and organisations should follow the Scottish Parliament by taking steps 'straightaway to comply with the law.' She added: 'They need to read the judgment, obtain their own legal advice and ignore the former first minister, whose contributions on this subject remain as unhelpful as ever.' Humza Yousaf, Ms Sturgeon's successor as first minister, also admitted that the manner in which the SNP tried to introduce gender self-ID in Scotland was a 'mistake.' Asked if self-ID had been a mistake, Mr Yousaf told Times Radio: 'The way we handled that, it clearly was a mistake. There's no two ways about it and not taking people on that journey with us.' He said he still supported reforming the 'over-medicalised process' for trans people to change gender but admitted 'we could have handled it a lot better, I think that self-evident.'
