Ah - such is life, I also wrote a response to answer the questions of Popchyk from Wed 17-Oct-18 16:36:24
who said: Just on the allegations that you are shadowy/working in secret thing, I'm sure you can clear up some questions I have about the Inquiry on Transgender Equality in 2015/2016.
1. As Special Advisor to the Inquiry, what was your role exactly?
My responsibility was to the committee and not to the witnesses or to anyone who had provided evidence to the committee, nor any external group.
My role was to help the committee access the necessary information to fully interrogate the evidence they heard, and the materials they received. I was not there to influence the committee's views.
I endeavoured to fulfil that role in a fully responsible way. I was rarely asked to comment on any particular matter relating to the wider question of trans equality.
I was to read the evidence submitted to the Committee, only in so much as to comment if there were clear inaccuracies in the submissions e.g. (taken from my notes)
"There are incorrect statements made in written submission X to the Inquiry e.g. gender recognition is only available to those who have surgery, the Equality Act only affords protection to those who have medical treatment”
I was to sit in on the public committee meetings of the inquiry and listen to the evidence given.
After each of the committee meetings, A civil servant would sometimes they put one or two questions to me about the evidence given by the previous witness, particularly as to accuracy of the law.
2. Did you recommend specific people to advise the inquiry?
No - I was shown a list of witnesses the committee wished to speak to I was asked if I had any further suggestions in relation to specific areas, I suggested positions and not people e.g. someone from the Tavistock Children's and Adolescent Gender Identity Unit, or a clinician from outside of London, or someone from Scotland about their take on the ‘spousal veto’.”
3. How were people's expertise or qualifications vetted?
That was done entirely by the Committee and the civil servants. I took no part in that, and was not present when it was done.
4. Who exactly put together the final report and its recommendations? Were any of the advisors to the Inquiry (or any other organisations) involved in drawing up recommendations?
The final report was drawn up by the Committee's Civil servants.
I was (as far as I know) the only special advisor to that Inquiry.
I read the 'almost final' parts of the draft and to check that it was an accurate reflection of the materials submitted and the evidence given in the committee. That meant I would suggest a short paragraph where something was missed, or where the committee appeared to have misunderstood the evidence. It was not in my remit to make suggestions for changes other than where something had been omitted or incorrectly reported.
My suggestions were then either adopted or not by the committee and the civil servants. It was not a discussion.
I did not submit evidence of any sort to the committee, nor did I advise anyone else as regards any evidence they were submitting.
I was paid for the work I did.
I accepted the position as I have spent 25 years researching gender identity and the law, and It gave me an insight into the ways in which Parliamentary Committees work - a process at first hand, that I teach about.
I hope that helps.