Labour MP launches vicious attack on Keir Starmer in thinly veiled nod to escalating trans row

She littered the article with references to J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' - which can be seen as a nod to the author's views on trans rights.

Both Rowling and Duffield have been outspoken figures in the Trans Exclusionary Feminist (TERF) movement, which seeks to protect womens spaces from what they see as encroachment by trans activists.

While Duffield has been a critic of Starmer's approach to trans rights, this time she took aim at party politics in general.

Writing in UnHerd Magazine, Duffield said: "New uniforms, new haircuts and new shoes at the ready, many children went back to school this week (to the ones that aren’t about to crumble around their heads, that is).

"It was, too, the return of 'Hogwarts' — many of us MPs often make the comparison between Parliament and J.K. Rowling’s mysterious, sprawling, magical school full of secrets, wizardry and strange goings-on.

"Labour’s class of 2017, of which I am a member, has struggled through the past few years of Brexit legislation, the Corbyn era, our party’s greatest election defeat in history, the shame of both antisemitism and the Forde report, and the virtual-voting lockdown Covid parliament."

Speaking about Starmer's recent shadow cabinet reshuffle, Duffield said: "It’s always fascinating to watch from the sidelines as this charade plays out.

"First comes the not-so-subtle toadying up to teachers (aka lobbying), then the speculation and rumours, followed by the seething rage as current shadow ministers have to endure the humiliating and crude discourtesy of reading another’s appointment to their role via a Labour Party tweet."

In a disparaging metaphor to describe her role in the Labour party, Duffield added: "To, back in the real world, I will continue to fulfil the role I have been permanently cast in: the child announcing the Emperor is stark naked as he parades a new suit of clothes spun by a couple of charlatan tailors, versed at spinning tall tales to please those in power."

The MP for Canterbury has repeatedly hit out at Starmer for failing to protect women through his trans-inclusionary policies.

She has also compared her relationship with the Labour party to an "abusive relationship".

Duffield nsaid: "What I feel now, after six years off being cold-shouldered by the Labour Party, conjures memories of how I felt in that abusive relationship.

"When I come home at night, I feel low-level trauma at my political isolation."

Around the same time, a senior aid to the Labour leader reportedly criticised the MP for her alleged friendship with JK Rowling, who has also been accused of holding anti-trans views.

In a leaked recording, Starmer's communications director Matthew Doyle could be heard saying: "There are people in Canterbury who say, you know, it would be nice if it’s possible to spend a bit more time actually in Canterbury rather than hanging out with JK Rowling."