Sir Keir Starmer has finally broken his silence on the Supreme Court's landmark gender ruling.
The Prime Minister, who came under fire after previously being unable to admit women cannot have penises, this morning spoke about the Supreme Court's decision to rule that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 "refer to a biological woman and biological sex".
When pushed on whether he believes a trans woman was a woman following the court's decision, the Prime Minister said “a woman is an adult female".
Starmer told ITV: “I think the Supreme Court has answered that question.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
PA
He added: “A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear.
“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.
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Trans activist protested against the decision over the weekend
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“It’s real clarity in an area where we did need clarity, I’m pleased it’s come about.
“We need to move and make sure that we now ensure that all guidance is in the right place according to that judgment.”
The Prime Minister later expressed his delight in the UK's highest court setting out a clear position.
Speaking to the BBC during a visit to a school in South West England, Starmer said: "I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court, which has given us clarity, much-needed clarity, and I think for those that are now drawing up guidance, it's a much clearer position.
Campaigners celebrated Wednesday's ruling outside the Supreme CourtPA"So I'm really pleased that the court has now clarified the position. We can move on from there and I think that's been very helpful, and I would welcome that."
The Prime Minister's comments came just hours after Women's Minister Bridget Phillipson claimed businesses and services can now "operate with absolute confidence", adding: "Providers can now operate with absolute confidence in delivering single-sex spaces for biological women."
However, Starmer and Phillipson could face an internal struggle with senior Labour MPs about the implementation of the ruling.
Leaked messages from a WhatsApp group showed Labour MPs plotting to defy the Supreme Court's ruling.
Trans rights protesters gathered at Parliament Square on Saturday to demonstrate against the court's rulingGB NewsCulture Minister Sir Chris Bryant agreed with an MP criticising equality watchdog chief Baroness Falkner after she said the ruling meant trans women could not use women's toilets or compete in women's sports.
Home Office Minister Dame Angela Eagle added: "We need to organise."
No10 confirmed Starmer will not take disciplinary action against the ministers, arguing that the cabal were not trying to undermine the ruling.
Protests sprung up across the country over the weekend in response to the Supreme Court's ruling, with statues dedicated to suffragette Millicent Fawcett and ex-Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli being targeted.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch condemned the protests and urged Labour to take more action.
Badenoch said: "A mob of trans-activists waving death threats at women isn't protest - it's criminal incitement.
"If the law isn't enforced, we don't have equality, we have two-tier justice."
