Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain clashed with GB News presenter Camilla Tominey over the party's latest trans-inclusionary policy.
Tominey asked Chamberlain whether the party was "trying to erase women" after they used the term "people who menstruate" in a policy document aiming to tackle period poverty.
Tominey said: "I note that yesterday the Liberal Democrat conference passed a motion insisting that menstruation affects nonbinary and trans people, therefore the language around women menstruating should be changed to 'people who menstruate'. Are the Lib Dems trying to erase women?"
Chamberlain pushed back, telling GB News: "That's not quite right, the policy was particularly in relation to period poverty.
"I'm sure both of you and I will be completely aligned on the need to address that.
"We know that one in five women really can't afford to get period products, they can't gain access to them, and that's what our policy was focused on yesterday."
Pressing her on the issue, Tominey said: "Then what's this phrase 'people who menstruate'? Isn't that also known as women?"
Responding, Chamberlain said: "Women and people who menstruate.
"It's a very small proportion of the population, but what I'm saying to you is - that policy was about period poverty, and I'm pretty sure we both agree about the need to address that."
Tominey asked again: "No, but have you removed 'women' and I changed it to 'people who menstruate' because why not say 'women and...'?"
Chamberlain explained: "We haven't removed women at all. I mean, I know women and girls struggle with this issue and we also have to make sure that we are inclusive and we make sure that we are considering everybody in our policymaking."
When asked "Do you know many men who menstruate?", Chamberlain dodged the question.
She said: "Camilla, we're talking about period poverty. I think it was a really strong, powerful debate and I really wished you had been there.
"You should look back on YouTube to hear the debate because it's really powerful."
Ending Period Poverty was debated at the Lib Dems’ party conference in Bournemouth yesterday.
The motion states: “Menstruation is not just a women’s issue, and also affects some trans and non-binary people."
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Ending Period Poverty, a motion debated at the Lib Dems’ party conference in Bournemouth yesterday, says that menstruation is 'not just a women’s issue, and also affects some trans and non-binary people'
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Backing the motion, the party’s women’s and equalities spokeswoman, Christine Jardine, said: "Period products are a basic necessity, not a luxury. Nobody should experience period poverty, yet, thanks to the cost of living crisis, this is sadly becoming more common."
Speaking to Pink News, she added: "Liberal Democrats will fight to ensure free period products for anyone who needs them in England. It’s the only way to end period poverty and bring us one step closer to equality.”
