NEW DELHI: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak drew criticism on Wednesday for making a remark mocking the position of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on the definition of a woman, shortly after it was announced that the mother of a murdered transgender teenager was present in Parliament.
During a question session, Sunak used the opportunity to highlight what he perceived as Starmer’s inconsistencies on various issues, ending with a quip about his stance on defining a woman.
Sunak said that “defining a woman” was on a list of Starmer’s broken promises, joking it had been “only 99% of a U-turn”.
Starmer hit back at Sunak saying, “Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna‘s mother is in this chamber. Shame. Parading as a man of integrity when he’s got absolutely no responsibility.”
The tragic murder of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old transgender teenager who was stabbed 28 times last year, has deeply affected the nation. Last Friday, her two 16-year-old killers received life sentences.
This dig appeared to be a reference to a comment made by Starmer from last April about transgender issues, where he stated that 99.9% of women “of course haven’t got a penis”.
Sunak later acknowledged Esther Ghey’s presence in Parliament, praising her for her compassion and empathy in the face of such a tragic event.
Stonewall, an LGBTQ+ rights group, called on Sunak to apologize for his remarks, labeling them as “cheap, callous, and crass,” AP reported. However, Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt defended Sunak, stating that his remarks were aimed at criticising Starmer’s indecision on major issues rather than making light of gender in the presence of a grieving mother.
(With inputs from agencies)
During a question session, Sunak used the opportunity to highlight what he perceived as Starmer’s inconsistencies on various issues, ending with a quip about his stance on defining a woman.
Sunak said that “defining a woman” was on a list of Starmer’s broken promises, joking it had been “only 99% of a U-turn”.
Starmer hit back at Sunak saying, “Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna‘s mother is in this chamber. Shame. Parading as a man of integrity when he’s got absolutely no responsibility.”
The tragic murder of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old transgender teenager who was stabbed 28 times last year, has deeply affected the nation. Last Friday, her two 16-year-old killers received life sentences.
This dig appeared to be a reference to a comment made by Starmer from last April about transgender issues, where he stated that 99.9% of women “of course haven’t got a penis”.
Sunak later acknowledged Esther Ghey’s presence in Parliament, praising her for her compassion and empathy in the face of such a tragic event.
Stonewall, an LGBTQ+ rights group, called on Sunak to apologize for his remarks, labeling them as “cheap, callous, and crass,” AP reported. However, Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt defended Sunak, stating that his remarks were aimed at criticising Starmer’s indecision on major issues rather than making light of gender in the presence of a grieving mother.
(With inputs from agencies)