'Women shut up!' Trans debate being used to forward 'rampant misogyny - in bid to silence us' says GBN guest

The PM was urged to apologise for a “degrading” and “dehumanising” remark made in the Commons in front of the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey.

Esther Ghey was visiting Parliament when Sunak accused Starmer of having difficulty in “defining a woman” during an attack on Labour Party U-turns.

Daily Express Political Editor Sam Lister reacted to the accusations of transphobia being “thrown about”, arguing that “rampant misogyny” is being forgotten about in the meantime.

“It is men telling women, ‘know your place’,” she said.

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“They’re saying, ‘if we want to come in your toilets, we will. If we want to take part in your sport, we will. Women shut up’.”

Lister added that “everybody who is a trans woman should be treated with respect”, but argued that many are using it as a political means to “shut women up”.

Sunak has refused to apologise for the comments despite fierce criticism from across the political spectrum.

On a visit to Cornwall he told reporters: “Like everyone, I was completely shocked by Brianna’s case. To have your child taken from you in such awful circumstances is almost impossible to come to terms with, and for Brianna’s mum to talk with such empathy and compassion about that, I thought, was inspiring and it showed the very best of humanity.

“I’ve nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy for her entire family and friends.

“But to use that tragedy to detract from the very separate and clear point I was making about Keir Starmer’s proven track record of multiple U-turns on major policies, because he doesn’t have a plan, I think is both sad and wrong, and it demonstrates the worst of politics.”

Asked to respond to demands for an apology, Sunak insisted his comments had been “absolutely legitimate”.

“If you look at what I said, I was very clear, talking about Keir Starmer’s proven track record of U-turns on major policies because he doesn’t have a plan.”

Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt suggested Sunak had “reflected on things” after his comments.

The Commons Leader said: “Whatever the rough and tumble of this place, whatever the pressures and mistakes that are made in the heat of political combat, we owe it to the people who sent us here to strive every day to make them proud of us and this place.”

She added: “That is not just about (Brianna’s parents) that he should reflect on, but I am sure he is also reflecting about people who are trans, or who have trans loved ones and family, some of whom sit on these green benches.

“I hope the leader of the Opposition will also reflect on his actions too.”