The new Labour MP Jonathan Hinder has become embroiled in a row over trans rights, after condemning Amnesty International UK’s intervention in a Supreme Court battle over the legal definition of women.
A Supreme Court hearing got underway this week in an appeal case against Lady Haldane’s ruling in 2022 that the definition of sex includes those who have a gender recognition certificate.
The human rights charity has made its own submission to the court, arguing existing protections must be maintained and warning legal gender recognition “is a human rights issue” essential for trans people.
On Tuesday, Hinder, MP since July for Pendle and Clitheroe, posted on X: “‘If you declare that you’re a woman, you become a woman’. Nope! Amnesty is so far gone.”
READ MORE: Labour rejects calls to revive two-day spring women’s conference
He encouraged people to follow the gender-critical campaign group Labour Women’s Declaration on social media – “if you’ve had enough of this nonsense”.
LWD welcomed his endorsement.
The post was widely shared, with another high-profile gender-critical MP, Labour-turned-independent Rosie Duffield, replying: “Wow, thank you Jonathan. Now lets see how the Labour Party treats you!”
It drew criticism from LGBT+ Labour’s national trans officer Georgia Meadows, who posted: “It’s unfortunate to see that Rosie Duffield has a replacement. I don’t get to decide to be trans, it is absolutely fundamental to my existence.
“I’m sick and tired of having to fight for the rights I’ve had my entire life. Something I’m sure Jonathan hasn’t had to endure.”
A spokesperson for Amnesty said: “Too many media outlets, politicians across parties and online commentators, continue to spend an eye-watering amount of time berating trans people – who make up just 1% of the population – and spreading dangerous misinformation.
“In many countries, groups that want to limit the autonomy of women and LGBT+ people are bringing legal challenges to erode human rights protections.”
But several Labour MPs are understood to have privately voiced support for Hinder’s position.
Labour and LGBT+ Labour were not immediately available for comment.
SIGN UP: Get the best daily roundup and analysis of Labour news and comment in our newsletter
For more from LabourList, follow us on Threads, Bluesky, X, Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp.
- SHARE: If you have anything to share that we should be looking into or publishing about this story – or any other topic involving Labour– contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at [email protected].
- SUBSCRIBE: Sign up to LabourList’s morning email here for the best briefing on everything Labour, every weekday morning.
- DONATE: If you value our work, please donate to become one of our supporters here and help sustain and expand our coverage.
- PARTNER: If you or your organisation might be interested in partnering with us on sponsored events or content, email [email protected].
More from LabourList
Assisted dying vote tracker: How does each Labour MP plan to vote on bill?
Revealed: Labour rejects calls to revive two-day spring women’s conference
Party revives shelved plan to relaunch BAME Labour with recruitment drive