'Trans women are women' say BOTH Labour MPs fighting to head up influential women and equalities committee

However, the pair have previously argued trans women are women in comments that have raised eyebrows among women's rights campaigners.

In a tweet marking Transgender Awareness Week in November 2020, Owen said: “Trans rights are human rights. Trans men are men. Trans women are women.”

During a Commons debate the following year, Owen accused media outlets of “spinning the most vicious bile about trans people” and said the fight for LGBT rights was far from over.

Osborne, who is a member of the Socialist Campaign Group, separately said: “I’ll save them the bother of doorstepping me.

“Yes, some women have a penis. It’s clear that Tory allies will help with their war on woke.

“Vilification of trans people [is] to distract from the mess the country is in.

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"How about asking MPs if they will eradicate homelessness and child poverty?”

Following Labour's landslide victory on July 4, Osborne expressed her concern about Health Secretary Wes Streeting pushing ahead with a ban on puberty blockers.

In a New Year's Eve post last year, Osborne also wrote: “My new year’s resolution is to block terfs [trans-exclusionary radical feminists].”

Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Government has taken varying approaches to trans rights since entering power.

Labour confirmed it would not make it a hate crime to misgender people, appearing to row back on remarks made by the Prime Minister while he was Leader of the Opposition.

However, the Government will also make it easier for transgender to legally change gender by removing the requirement for a panel of doctors and lawyers.

Select Committee chairs are elected in a secret ballot of all MPs, with MPs ranking candidates in order of preference.

Owen received the support of ex-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, while former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott is backing Osborne's bid.