Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling on the legal definition of a woman.
Commenting publicly for the first time on last Wednesday’s decision, the prime minister said the judgment provided “clarity” that “a woman is an adult female”.
All five judges at the UK’s highest court unanimously ruled the legal definition of a woman under the Equality Act 2010 should be based on biological sex.
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The ruling has caused consternation among some politicians and tens of thousands of people protested in central London on Saturday against what they said was a “betrayal” of the trans community.
But the prime minister, who previously said “transwomen are women”, said the court had provided clarity and public services now needed to ensure their guidance was “in the right place according to that judgment”.
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2:19 How do you define a woman in law?
Asked if he believed that a transwoman should be considered a woman, Sir Keir told ITV West Country: “A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear.”
Speaking during a trip to Bath, Somerset, on Tuesday, the prime minister said: “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.”
Sir Keir added: “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.”
