Tory leader Kemi Badenoch tore into Sir Keir Starmer today in a fiery Prime Minister's Questions row about trans women, exactly a week after a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Last Wednesday, Britain's highest court declared that trans women are not women - widely hailed as a common-sense ruling.
And today, Badenoch demanded an apology from the Prime Minister after gender-critical MP Rosie Duffield was "hounded out of Labour" by trans activists.
The Leader of the Opposition, who appeared emboldened following last week's ruling, said: “He spoke about respect and dignity and compassion and lowering the temperature.
Badenoch demanded an apology from the Prime Minister after gender-critical MP Rosie Duffield was 'hounded out of Labour' by trans activists
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"So will he now apologise to the Member for Canterbury [Rosie Duffield], the very brave member for Canterbury, for hounding her out of the Labour Party simply for telling the truth?”
The Prime Minister replied: “I have always approached this on the basis that we should treat everyone with dignity and respect, whatever their different views, and I will continue to do so.”
He also warned against turning the Supreme Court ruling into a “political football”.
However, Badenoch later demanded an answer as to where the Prime Minister was in the six days following the Supreme Court's verdict.
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Starmer 'hid for six days without commenting on the Supreme Court judgment', Badenoch blasted
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She asked: “What about the abuse I faced from his MPs calling me a transphobe for supporting what the Supreme Court has now clarified?
“And where was he? He hid for six days without commenting on the Supreme Court judgment.
“Why did it take him so long to respond? Is it because he was scared?”
Starmer, who later claimed Badenoch "did precisely nothing" as Equalities Minister, quipped: "The only fiction here is the idea that she delivered anything in office."
However, Badenoch went on to fume: “This is a question about moral courage, about doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. And the truth is he doesn’t have the balls.
“The Prime Minister only tells people what they want to hear.”
Last Wednesday, Britain's highest court declared that trans women are not women
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The PMQs row followed Starmer's long-awaited claim on Tuesday that he believes "a woman is an adult female".
"A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear," he told ITV.
“I actually welcome the judgment because I think it gives real clarity. It allows those that have got to draw up guidance to be really clear about what that guidance should say.
"So I think it's important that we see the judgment for what it is. It's a welcome step forward."
