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Women & Equalities Committee 2.30pm Today, 9th June, Mary-Ann Stephenson Chair at EHRC giving oral evidence

280 replies

TheNoWord · 09/06/2026 14:03

Work of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) 20026-27 - Oral evidence, Mary-Ann Stephenson, Chair at Equality and Human Rights Commission and John Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive Officer at Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Considering the absolute balloons on this committee, it will be well worth a watch. Only Rosie Duffield and Rebecca Paul have any sense.

You can watch live on Parliament TV from 2.30pm

https://committees.parliament.uk/event/27280/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/

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Olderbadger1 · 14/06/2026 22:06

10th June - debate on women's rights introduced by the new Reform MS for Flint Cristiana Emsley: members of WRN Wales were in the gallery and have posted about it:

" Was there a silent fire drill just prior to the debate? We didn’t hear one. But how else to explain the sudden departure of most of the @Plaid_Cymru MSs (including @RhunapIorwerth), the @WelshLabour ones, both of the @Greenparty MSs and the sole @WelshLibDems MS? Perhaps their female constituents should ask what was so urgent, that they had to leave so suddenly?"
x.com/WRNWales/status/2065087222051705273

And EHRC Cymru attack was not reported in the pitiful excuse for Welsh MSM as far as I can tell. Just the X post from Bash Back.

OldCrone · 13/06/2026 22:07

Olderbadger1 · 13/06/2026 18:07

What makes me particularly infuriated is that these parliamentary half-wits are encouraging citizen half-wits to believe that they can continue to do what they like, and that, somehow, getting rid of the code will change the law. And that they have a right to continue to attack/harass anyone who disagrees with them.

Hence EHRC offices attacked a few days ago and now this posted on X from the Bash Back account. Bash Back were the group who smashed the windows of the Brighton Conference Centre at the last FiLiA Feminist Conference. Don't think anyone was ever arrested...

"BREAKING
Independent actionists representing BASH BACK have targeted the EHRC’s offices in Cardiff, Cymru.
The EHRC cannot run away from the consequences of their bigoted “guidance”.
The fight continues.
xoxo BASH BACK from the Bash Back"

And our halfwitted new Plaid government left the Senedd chamber last week when a Reform member of the Senedd spoke about the SC judgment and and women's rights to single-sex spaces. So much for the promise of a collaborative approach to government.

And our halfwitted new Plaid government left the Senedd chamber last week when a Reform member of the Senedd spoke about the SC judgment and and women's rights to single-sex spaces. So much for the promise of a collaborative approach to government.

When did this happen? I can't find any reports about it and I can't find it on the Senedd website because I don't know when it happened.

TheywontletmehavethenameIwant · 13/06/2026 19:46

CassOle · 13/06/2026 19:24

I really feel like elected members of the Senedd should be professional. All this leaving when other elected members say something they don't like is so utterly childish and an insult to the people they are meant to represent. The Senedd isn't their own personal virtue signalling arena - oh look I'm on TRSOH and sod all the people in Wales who are pleased that the law has been clarified.

I agree, all elected official who walk out of a session before it's finished should be fined.
It's like the council in Bristol where the Green's have turned the chamber into their own fiefdom, and won't allow anyone to speak about anything they don't agree with.
With any luck there's a process that can be used by Reform to charge PC with bring the democratic process into disrepute or something. I urge them to use it, that's why they were voted for, to make changes, including in the way the legacy party's behave in the chamber.
I also like them to use it, perhaps every time PC do it in future Reform can start playing Darth Vader's theme tune, make a point of ridiculing their ridicules actions.

Dandelionsalad · 13/06/2026 19:46

CassOle · 13/06/2026 19:24

I really feel like elected members of the Senedd should be professional. All this leaving when other elected members say something they don't like is so utterly childish and an insult to the people they are meant to represent. The Senedd isn't their own personal virtue signalling arena - oh look I'm on TRSOH and sod all the people in Wales who are pleased that the law has been clarified.

Refusing to listen to other politicians should be treated as what it is - contempt for parliamentary democracy. Anyone who shows such contempt should be removed from office.

CassOle · 13/06/2026 19:24

I really feel like elected members of the Senedd should be professional. All this leaving when other elected members say something they don't like is so utterly childish and an insult to the people they are meant to represent. The Senedd isn't their own personal virtue signalling arena - oh look I'm on TRSOH and sod all the people in Wales who are pleased that the law has been clarified.

stillcantfindreverse · 13/06/2026 19:18

The guidance cannot be any different from the actual law you utter, utter muppets.

I'll sit back to enjoy the two tier policing.

TheywontletmehavethenameIwant · 13/06/2026 18:24

Independent actionists representing BASH BACK have targeted the EHRC’s offices in Cardiff, Cymru.

Any more details on when, I'm not far from Cardiff, I'd like to give them a warm welcome to Wales. Happy to kick their arses over back over the bridge.

Olderbadger1 · 13/06/2026 18:07

What makes me particularly infuriated is that these parliamentary half-wits are encouraging citizen half-wits to believe that they can continue to do what they like, and that, somehow, getting rid of the code will change the law. And that they have a right to continue to attack/harass anyone who disagrees with them.

Hence EHRC offices attacked a few days ago and now this posted on X from the Bash Back account. Bash Back were the group who smashed the windows of the Brighton Conference Centre at the last FiLiA Feminist Conference. Don't think anyone was ever arrested...

"BREAKING
Independent actionists representing BASH BACK have targeted the EHRC’s offices in Cardiff, Cymru.
The EHRC cannot run away from the consequences of their bigoted “guidance”.
The fight continues.
xoxo BASH BACK from the Bash Back"

And our halfwitted new Plaid government left the Senedd chamber last week when a Reform member of the Senedd spoke about the SC judgment and and women's rights to single-sex spaces. So much for the promise of a collaborative approach to government.

Shortshriftandlethal · 13/06/2026 10:44

Abuse of parliamentary process involves the deliberate manipulation, circumvention, or weaponization of legislative rules and privileges to obstruct scrutiny, avoid accountability, or subvert the constitutional separation of powers. Specific examples typically include the following actions:

  • Evading Judicial Orders: Deliberately breaching court injunctions (such as privacy orders) or actively frustrating judicial proceedings by hiding behind absolute parliamentary privilege.
  • Contempt of Parliament: Suppressing, altering, or destroying official papers; refusing to attend or give evidence to parliamentary committees; and intimidating or bribing witnesses or members.
  • Stifling Debate: Weaponizing procedural mechanisms (like excessive filibustering) or controversially suspending legislative sittings (prorogation) specifically to prevent the legislature from scrutinizing executive actions.
  • Strategic Misrepresentation: Purposely misleading the House or its committees.

In the UK, alleged breaches of protocol are investigated by the House of Commons Committee of Privilegesor the House of Lords Committee for Privileges and Conduct. Severe individual misconduct, such as bullying or harassment, can be independently evaluated by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.
.

stillcantfindreverse · 13/06/2026 10:37

Shortshriftandlethal · 13/06/2026 09:59

The same with local councils. This is what happens when elected officials see themselves primarily as activists rather than as public servants with a duty to professionalism.

Edited

or even a duty of basic competency.

Shortshriftandlethal · 13/06/2026 09:59

stillcantfindreverse · 13/06/2026 09:49

It is depressing to have confirmed that the MPs there genuinely didnt know the difference between guidance and law - and really didn't know what they were talking about or this most basic facet of their day job. It was kind of MAS as she realised this to offer a powerpoint to try and teach them but flipping heck.... what kind of people do we have making the decisions in this country!

The same with local councils. This is what happens when elected officials see themselves primarily as activists rather than as public servants with a duty to professionalism.

stillcantfindreverse · 13/06/2026 09:49

It is depressing to have confirmed that the MPs there genuinely didnt know the difference between guidance and law - and really didn't know what they were talking about or this most basic facet of their day job. It was kind of MAS as she realised this to offer a powerpoint to try and teach them but flipping heck.... what kind of people do we have making the decisions in this country!

Ereshkigalangcleg · 13/06/2026 09:47

Both Whittome and Owen looked spectacularly gormless.

Shortshriftandlethal · 13/06/2026 09:46

GreyskySexRealistsky · 12/06/2026 11:43

Interesting thanks @impossibletoday

I am very pleased that MAS used the phrase "performing femininity" several times at that meeting.

Yes, she gave them something of a tutorial on the construction of trans ideology........you could see the confused looks on their faces as they pretended to take notes.

RapidOnsetGenderCritic · 12/06/2026 22:27

toyl9876 · 09/06/2026 18:25

The cruelty in your response is absolutely staggering. And what does it have to do with validation? I’m not asking to be put on the women’s ward. I’m just asking not to be placed with men. For me, I would find that incredibly distressing because of how strongly I feel about not identifying with men.

I don't identify with most men either, certainly not with those men who cover themselves in tattoos and think that swearing constantly and being aggressive towards nurses proves that they are "manly". What on earth has that got to do with which ward we should be on? When I was in hospital, to be honest all I cared about was pain relief and when I was going to have the operation I obviously needed. If they'd put me on a women's ward I hope I would have pointed out that the women probably didn't want me there, but the fact that I don't identify with women in the sense of either sex or "gender identity" would have been totally irrelevant.

Theeyeballsinthesky · 12/06/2026 18:37

Shortshriftandlethal · 12/06/2026 16:04

I'm sure Nadia Whittome and Sarah Owen would have been perfectly capable of identifying the sex of everyone at that session, including those they had not met before. Like everyone else, they would have done so automatically and instinctively.

They think they are so clever don't they, but they really aren't. They are like stroppy teenagers.

Edited

They never see seem to have any trouble identifying women to patronise abd insult and men performing female to fawn over

Shortshriftandlethal · 12/06/2026 16:04

I'm sure Nadia Whittome and Sarah Owen would have been perfectly capable of identifying the sex of everyone at that session, including those they had not met before. Like everyone else, they would have done so automatically and instinctively.

They think they are so clever don't they, but they really aren't. They are like stroppy teenagers.

stillcantfindreverse · 12/06/2026 15:26

Shortshriftandlethal · 12/06/2026 09:48

The bit about not asking someone about their sex - which was put in latterly to appease activists.

And on another thread.... the quick, cheap cheek swab test is coming, so any disputes can be settled in minutes in any cafe, gym, etc. No need to ask anything, just hand over the swab and invite the sharing of results if they'd care to use the female space.

Fully justified adding to the other thread and the video of MPs insisting menwith trans identities will not respect women's spaces and cannot be trusted. Which seems a bit... prejudiced to me, but whatever, I'm just a voter and I'm sure they know what they're talking about.

teawamutu · 12/06/2026 12:17

Whittome really does look like a sulky child.

Datun · 12/06/2026 11:59

impossibletoday · 12/06/2026 08:34

This is a very interesting watch

https://x.com/i/status/2065284634892497012

That's very interesting. From a linguistic point of view I love how she walks you through it.

It's almost amusing that these are the same old TRA arguments that have been on this board for about ten years.

That one especially gets to me, though. They're admitting that men will lie to get into women's spaces and unless you can have a fool proof way of identifying them not based on perception alone, it's you who have walked into the gotcha, not them!

The bloody holier than thou expression whilst they are siding with men who they say will lie to access unconsenting women.

Stupid as fuck doesn't really cover it!

GreyskySexRealistsky · 12/06/2026 11:43

Interesting thanks @impossibletoday

I am very pleased that MAS used the phrase "performing femininity" several times at that meeting.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 12/06/2026 11:28

impossibletoday · 12/06/2026 08:34

This is a very interesting watch

https://x.com/i/status/2065284634892497012

Thank you.
So interesting to hear it unpicked like that

Shortshriftandlethal · 12/06/2026 09:48

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 11/06/2026 23:05

from members of her own backbenches - and when she finally produced it she managed to inject a clause ( which it has to be assumed she thought no-one would notice) which was entirely without legal basis ( and which will be challenged) purely to placate these activists.

What clause did I manage to miss?

The bit about not asking someone about their sex - which was put in latterly to appease activists.

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 11/06/2026 23:05

Shortshriftandlethal · 11/06/2026 12:13

TBH, I couldn't be bothered go into great detail in my response to the above, but this was how i did respond.

The code of practice is entirely legal, proportionate and workable; and in fact most establishments are already implementing it. Take, as one example, the new Yoko Ono Auditorium at the University of Liverpool. It has installed, quietly and without fuss, an additional single occupancy 'gender neutral' facility alongside the single sex blocks - and this is sufficient to meet everyone's needs for dignity and privacy. All that is required in many large establishments is one additional accessible toilet or changing room. Most small establishments already have just single occupancy facilities and so are not impacted in any great way. It is vital that pubic institutions such as the NHS and local authorities abide by the ruling and do what is right by their female users,

The ECHR does not make the law, it simply issues guidance. I watched the Q &A session of the Women and Equalities Committee on Tuesday 9th June - with the ECHR, and I was appalled at the attitude and conduct of a number of MPs, including Labour MPs. They displayed open, personal hostility and a total refusal to engage in a mature and rational way. They compeletely failed to mention the rights and protections of women at any point in that session. Personally, I feel their behaviour and their abuse of parliamentary process merits discipline.

'Trans' people are either male or female like the rest of us. Single sex provsions are predicated on 'sex' not assumed 'gender identity' ( a recent construct). Women and girls have every right to expect that a facility that is designated as 'female only' is for female people only. Schools in the city of Liverpool, such as Chesterfieled High ( I am an ex teacher) which have flouted the requirements for single sex facilities in spending thousands of pounds on non compliant unisex toilets are breaking the law, and furthermore subjecting their pupils to unnecessary indignities. That organisations are having to be takien to court in order to ensure compliance is an affront to democracy and to the hard won proetctions enshrined in the Equality Act.

You have spoken about your trans identified constituents, but what about your female constituents, which is approximately 50% of them? I, and others, expect you to stand up for our established protections and not to sacrifice them on the altar of an ideology. The reason that Bridget Phillipson sat on the code for so long was entirely due to political expediency and to allay the outrage from members of her own backbenches - and when she finally produced it she managed to inject a clause ( which it has to be assumed she thought no-one would notice) which was entirely without legal basis ( and which will be challenged) purely to placate these activists. Your office response to my initial email was to say that you no longer sign such motions as you don't think they are effective. So, I have to wonder why did you choose to sign this one? These measures are purely obstructive and an abuse of process as far as I am concerned - and pay scant attention to legal rulings and what they imply.

For too long the Labour party tried to suppress the voices of people on this issue with the edicts of 'No Debate' and oft repeated mantra of 'TWAW'. In doing so the Labour party, including my own MPs, have alienated many former members and supporters. I don't recognise what the Labour party has become...subsumed in the americanised politics of identity and so called 'progressive' ideology. There is not a chance, going forward, that I will be voting Labour again, until it comes to its senses and starts to reflect the concerns and interests of the majority of the population.

from members of her own backbenches - and when she finally produced it she managed to inject a clause ( which it has to be assumed she thought no-one would notice) which was entirely without legal basis ( and which will be challenged) purely to placate these activists.

What clause did I manage to miss?

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