Equalities Minister called trans people ‘men using women’s bathrooms’ in leaked audio

Kemi Badenoch was condemned by Labour over the comments she made in 2018, despite the government insisting they had been taken out of context

The Tory Equalities Minister branded trans women “men using women’s bathrooms” in a leaked audio recording.

Labour condemned Kemi Badenoch over the 2018 comments – in which she also used the word “transsexuals”, which critics describe as offensive or outdated.

The government accepted Ms Badenoch had made the comments and claimed they had been “taken out of context”.

But they emerged a year after the Tory government scrapped ex-PM Theresa May ’s plans to make it easier for trans people to change their legal gender.

The comments go to the heart of a bitter dispute between transgender people and their supporters, and those who choose to place their emphasis on biological sex.

A 2019 employment tribunal ruling found “calling a trans woman a man is likely to be profoundly distressing. It may be unlawful harassment.”

It added the belief that a trans woman “cannot honestly describe herself as a woman” was “not worthy of respect in a democratic society”.

An appeal overturned that ruling on a point of law, but the appeal judge emphasised: “This judgment does not mean that those with gender-critical beliefs can ‘misgender’ trans persons with impunity.”

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner branded the comments “disgusting” and suggested Ms Badenoch should not be in her post.

She added: “With hate crimes and transphobia on the rise we need an Equalities Minister who will stand up for trans people, not add fuel to the fire of abuse and discrimination faced by LGBT+ people in our country.”

The recording was made in Ms Badenoch’s Commons office around two years before she became an Equalities Minister in February 2020.

It was handed to VICE World News, which reproduced excerpts of the recording but did not publish the audio itself.

According to the website, Ms Badenoch – who was promoted to work on ‘levelling up’ in Boris Johnson ’s reshuffle – said: “It’s no longer about minority rights in terms of race any more or nationality.

“It’s now, you know like, it’s not even about sexuality now, it’s now like the whole transgender movement, where, OK well we’ve got gay marriage, and civil partnerships, so what are transsexuals looking for?”

She went on: “Even when, you know, so, people hear about, you know like the whole bathroom thing.

“It’s actually more of an American thing but they have a similar problem, that, right so now it’s not just about being free to marry who you want, you now want to have men using women’s bathrooms.”

SNP MP John Nicolson, deputy chair of the all-party parliamentary group on global LGBT+ rights, told PinkNews: “The leaked anti-LGBT+ tirade from the UK government’s equalities minister is deeply depressing.

“I feel for the human rights workers at pro-equality organisations who now have to sit in a room with the minister knowing what she privately thinks about trans and gay people.”

Labour MP Charlotte Nichols said: “I’d like to say I was surprised but I’d be lying. I’ve said time and again this government is failing LGBT+ people and it’s not by accident, but by design.”

Last year the Tory government ditched a vow to “demedicalise” the process of getting a gender recognition certificate – which is needed to change a person’s passport or birth certificate.

Two small changes were announced – applications will move online and the £140 fee will be reduced.

But trans people will still need a medical diagnosis of “gender dysphoria”, evidence they have lived in their assumed gender for two years, agreement from their spouse, and to have their bid approved by a panel of medics and judges.

A Government spokesperson said: “The Minister for Equalities is working hard to deliver for LGBT people, whether that is modernising the process of applying for a gender recognition certificate, driving forward LGBT rights in the workplace or banning conversion therapy.

“This 2018 comment has been taken out of context, with the Minister making a clear point about striking the balance for equality and fairness when there are multiple and often competing demands between different groups. It should not be used to misrepresent her views.”

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Minister for Equalities is working hard to deliver for LGBT people, whether that’s modernising the process of applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate, driving forward LGBT rights in the workplace or banning conversion therapy.”