UK Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch defends professor accused of transphobia
Badenoch was speaking to Sky News on Sunday following a row at the University of Sussex.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Wiki
A UK Government Equalities Minister has defended a university professor accused of transphobia after saying people could not change biological sex.
Kemi Badenoch said she did not think Kathleen Stock, who resigned from her post at the University of Sussex last week, should have resigned from her job after a row with a student group.
Ms. Badenoch said she was “appalled” by some of the behaviour shown towards Ms. Stock, who has also been supported by the University’s Vice-Chancellor.
“I don’t think she should lose her job”
Speaking to Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on Sunday Badenoch said: “Nobody should face bullying or harassment in the workplace. That is actually another thing that the Equality Act looks at, bullying and harassment.
“I don’t think she should lose her job and I think that she has every right to hold the beliefs which she does, and I think she is probably in step with the majority of the population.”
Elsewhere, she argued that trans people shouldn’t be allowed to self-ID and that medical professionals should be involved in getting a gender recognition certificate.
Ms. Badenoch was recently revealed to have misgendered trans people and questioned gay marriage.
In recordings dating back to 2018 obtained by Vice World News, the Conservative MP for Saffron Walden can be heard saying: “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.”
The Equalities Office said the comments were taken “out of context”.
In March, Badenoch was urged to “consider” her role by Jayne Ozanne, a member of a now-defunct LGBT advisory panel. Ozanne, who also quit the Conservative party, said Badenoch and her colleague Liz Truss didn’t understand the LGBTQ community.
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