RISHI Sunak still refuses to apologise for his “dehumanising” transgender joke in the House of Commons whilst the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey watched on from the gallery.
Brianna’s father, Peter Spooner, has since said the Prime Minister should say sorry for the “degrading” remark made during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
Whilst addressing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Sunak said it was “a bit rich” to hear about promises from someone who had "broken every single promise he was elected on".
The Prime Minister listed “pensions, planning, peerages”, among others, before adding that that the Labour leader had u-turned on “defining a woman, although, in fairness, that was only 99 per cent of a u-turn.”
Rishi Sunak made a “joke”about Keir Starmer “defining a woman”…with Brianna Ghey’s mother Esther watching #pmqs from the gallery.
— nazir afzal (@nazirafzal) February 7, 2024
“Of all the days…” says Starmer
The insensitivity is beyond words
We have a callous inhuman Govtpic.twitter.com/EbxjUjMfXa
Mr Starmer replied: “Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna’s mother is in this chamber. Shame.”
Mr Starmer added that Sunak was “parading as a man of integrity when he has got absolutely no responsibility”, while shouts of 'shame' rang up from the backbenches.
He added: “I think the role of the prime minister is to make sure that every single citizen in this country feels safe and respected, and it’s a shame the prime minister doesn’t share that.”
Despite a public outcry and calls from Brianna Ghey’s father, Peter Spooner, Downing Street has doubled down on the remarks and insisted they were not transphobic.
Sunak faced criticism both from Labour, which accused him of using “minorities as a punchbag,” and some from within his party ranks over the jibe.
Former business minister Jackie Doyle-Price told Times Radio it was “careless” and “very ill-judged” for him to use the joke “in that context”, while ex-minister Dehenna Davison said it was “disappointing”.
Recommended reading:
- Rishi Sunak makes trans jibe in front of Brianna Ghey’s mother
- Sunak criticised over transgender remark as murdered teenager’s mother watches
- Sunak: We have not given up on levelling up
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch in turn accused Labour of trying to “weaponise” the issue while Chancellor Jeremy Hunt insisted the remarks were not directly connected to the “appalling” case.
Esther Ghey, Brianna’s mother, had been in Westminster with her local MP in Warrington, Charlotte Nichols, as she campaigned for mindfulness lessons to be taught in schools following the killing of her daughter.
Ms Ghey was invited to meet the Prime Minister and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan on Wednesday to talk about online safety, which she says needs to be improved to better protect children.
It is not yet confirmed whether or when the meeting will take place.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here