MoJ network - letter to Baroness Nicholson from Damian Hinds

[ResisterRex]

twitter.com/baroness_nichol/status/1605857420093292545?s=46&t=QAIUU9gm3CwgB--3-uMJ6w

"I understand your concerns. The content of the material was not cleared by MoJ. It does not reflect departmental policy and should not have been shared"

And

"We are committed to providing a safe environment, in line with section 109(4) of the Equality Act 2010"

Which is here:

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/109

And says:

109
Liability of employers and principals
(1)
Anything done by a person (A) in the course of A's employment must be treated as also done by the employer.
(2)
Anything done by an agent for a principal, with the authority of the principal, must be treated as also done by the principal.
(3)
It does not matter whether that thing is done with the employer's or principal's knowledge or approval.
(4)
In proceedings against A's employer (B) in respect of anything alleged to have been done by A in the course of A's employment it is a defence for B to show that B took all reasonable steps to prevent A—
(a)
from doing that thing, or
(b)
from doing anything of that description.
(5)
This section does not apply to offences under this Act (other than offences under Part 12 (disabled persons: transport)).

What was the initial concern?

Here's some coverage of the incident:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11461053/Baroness-slams-Prison-Service-telling-staff-phrase-actual-woman-transphobic.html

'One phrase, 'actual/real woman', is said to be dehumanising to transgender individuals and to invalidate their existence by suggesting they are not really women.

The document describes the use of this phrase as 'deeply upsetting, offensive' and says it 'undermines self-esteem and confidence'.

It goes on to brand the phrase 'deeply misogynistic' before adding a link to an opinion piece from a Canadian publication about two female athletes who were questioned on their eligibility to compete due to unusually high amounts of testosterone.

The document says the use of the term 'adult human female'
signals exclusionary attitudes towards trans women.'

It isn't the words we use to talk about women, but the act of trying to talk about women which is the cause of offence. Therefore there are no words which can be used to talk about women that will not be criticised and complained about.

Hmm. I've seen a letter from Hinds when he was in charge of education. In response to a letter about safeguarding and the rights of children to single sex changing rooms, showers, dormitories & toilets he responded very excitedly about how inclusive mixed sex facilities were. Creep.