Sir Keir Starmer has refused to take punitive action against two of his own Labour ministers and a number of other MPs who plotted to defy a Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.
According to leaked WhatsApp messages, at least two ministers have been accused of secretly plotting to defy the ruling that trans women are not legally women.
The messages, obtained by the Mail on Sunday, revealed ministers are planning to hold a meeting this week to "decide a way forwards" and "organise" against the ruling despite the Government's public claim to welcome the landmark judgment.
Home Office Minister Dame Angela Eagle wrote in the WhatsApp group of LGBT+ Labour MPs that "the ruling is not as catastrophic as it seems but the EHRC guidance might be".
Dame Angela Eagle (centre) made the comments in the WhatsApp group of LGBT+ Labour MPs
PA
She added "we have to get on with doing the stuff we said we'd do in the manifesto", which included protecting "the freedom for people to explore their sexual orientation and gender identity".
Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant agreed with criticism of Baroness Falkner, the EHRC chairwoman, after she commented on the ruling's implications.
In the messages, Eagle suggested MPs meet "when we get back from Easter recess to decide a way forwards".
Another MP on the WhatsApp group wrote it was "sad to see some institutions choose to ignore the Supreme Court’s very strong line that trans people are protected by the Equality Act too".
Eagle then replied: "They won't be feeling that way now and we need to remember that and organise."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
According to the messages, Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant agreed with criticism of Baroness Falkner
PA
MPs agreed to seek a meeting "ASAP with [the] relevant Equality Minister" after the Commons returns from recess this week.
The ministers appeared particularly concerned about Lady Falkner's statement that the ruling meant trans women could not use single-sex female facilities or compete in women's sports.
However, since the emergence of the messages, No10 has refused to take punitive action over the plot.
Downing Street said no action would be taken against Dame Angela and Sir Chris, claiming they were not trying to undermine the Supreme Court judgment.
While the Government has said it welcomes the judgment, Starmer has not made a personal statement about Wednesday's ruling.
Neither has he commented on the weekend's vandalism of a suffragist statue by trans activists.
Sir Keir has not made a personal statement about Wednesday's ruling.
PA
Thousands of trans rights campaigners descended on central London on Saturday to rally against the landmark ruling.
The "emergency demonstration" ended with at least two statues in Parliament Square being vandalised.
"Fag rights" and a heart were painted on the banner held by suffragist Millicent Fawcett.
"Trans rights are human rights" was also sprayed on the pedestal bearing a memorial to South African military leader Jan Christian Smuts.
Mims Davies, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, said: "In public Keir Starmer and his Cabinet pretended they supported the Supreme Court judgment. But in private, we know Labour are seething, as these texts prove.
"Like so many brave women, Baroness Falkner has suffered terrible abuse for standing up for the rights of women and girls. Now we know Labour will do all they can to undermine her work."
Davies called on the Prime Minister to publicly support the EHRC guidance when it is published.
Lady Falkner hailed the ruling for bringing "clarity" and told the BBC: "Single-sex services like changing rooms must be based on biological sex."
She stated that if a male person uses a women-only facility, "it isn't any longer single-sex".
The EHRC chair also said the "enormously consequential" court decision meant trans women could not take part in female sports.
Her watchdog is working on an updated code of conduct for public services.
