Liberal Democrat Leader Calls on Government to Withdraw EHRC Guidance on Single-Sex Spaces

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has written to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson requesting that she withdraw guidance issued by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission on protecting female-only spaces. The EHRC shared the advice earlier this month following last year's Supreme Court ruling that the word 'sex' in the Equality Act refers to a person's biological sex rather than gender identification.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson approved the advice.

They stated that it does not provide clear guidance, does not do enough to protect everyone from discrimination and harassment, and is not compatible with longstanding British values. The letter said the signatories have spoken to members of the public who are 'deeply concerned' to go about their daily lives.

Dr Zoe Hollowood, chairwoman of Liberal Voice for Women, accused Sir Ed Davey of dismissing the views of women to prioritise those of trans people.

She said polling consistently shows that Lib Dem voters and members believe single-sex spaces should be protected based on biological sex, adding that ignoring this reality is a betrayal to women everywhere, including in the party. Dr Hollowood said Liberal Voice for Women is profoundly disappointed by the letter.

She stated that by focusing on trans inclusion, the Lib Dem leadership has actively chosen to ignore the vast majority of women who rely on single-sex spaces when they are vulnerable and undressing.

She added that across the UK there are many examples of women and girls self-excluding from public life or being penalised for standing up for their privacy and safety in single-sex spaces and sports, including women from ethnic minorities and those who have experienced sexual trauma.

Conservative MP and Opposition Assistant Whip Rebecca Paul told GB News the Lib Dems have spent years dismissing women's rights. She said the party cannot hold a coherent position on biological sex and has prioritised activist dogma over common sense.

Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat accused Sir Ed Davey of trying to have it both ways and standing for nothing. The EHRC said it has a duty to maintain distinct single-sex spaces for changing facilities and toilets, and stated that trans people should not be asked what sex they are when they use such facilities.

A similar row over trans rights erupted at the Liberal Democrats conference in Bournemouth last September, when gender-critical members forced a debate and vote proposing only biological women take female roles within the party.

The motion was swiftly removed from the agenda after opposing campaigners said it would be used to legitimise bigotry and described those behind it as an extremist faction. GB News reported the developments.