WESC 'scrutiny session' of EHRC today at 1.45pm

[ArabeIIaScott]

You can watch here:

https://committees.parliament.uk/event/17987/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session

'As part of its regular scrutiny of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Chairwoman Baroness Falkner and Chief Executive Marcial Boo will face questioning from the Women and Equalities Committee in an upcoming session

The EHRC is likely to answer questions on:

• the definition of sex in the Equality Act
• the internal investigation into Baroness Falkner in response to allegations of discriminatory behaviour
• staff retention

Following a request for advice from the Government earlier this year on clarifying the definition of the protected characteristic of sex in the Equality Act, the EHRC took the view it would bring “greater legal clarity”, but potential “ambiguity” in other areas. The cross-party Committee of MPs will examine the EHRC’s advice to the Government.'

This is going to be interesting.

Yep ...

Starting shortly

here we go

Statement from Baroness Falkner

Internal investigation - can't answer any questions on it.

What a grumpy sigh about the statement!

All those present are recused from all questions - they can't answer.

Question about definition of 'sex' in the EA.

Falkner references consultation in 2018, says this has been consistently reviewed, reports on GRA reform, 'clarity' has long been needed. EHRC had already embarked on a review when Falkner came on board.

Committee

Name Party or affiliation Constituency or type House
Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP Conservative Romsey and Southampton North Commons
Elliot Colburn MP Conservative Carshalton and Wallington Commons
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP Conservative Gosport Commons
Jackie Doyle-Price MP Conservative Thurrock Commons
Carolyn Harris MP Labour Swansea East Commons
Mark Jenkinson MP Conservative Workington Commons
Kim Johnson MP Labour Liverpool, Riverside Commons
Lia Nici MP Conservative Great Grimsby Commons
Kate Osborne MP Labour Jarrow Commons
Ms Anum Qaisar MP Scottish National Party Airdrie and Shotts Commons
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP Labour Streatham Commons

The question about "can I ask you about process" as a follow up was daft. The answer was obviously no!

Falkner is now describing the history of the meetings etc spent discussing this issue, including advice taken, time taken to deliberate, evidence looked at, etc

Aye, Nokes is going to Noke.

Baroness Falkner is giving a very reasonable explanation!

Elliott must be disappointed.

Lol, rude right from the outset 😂

As ever. I even think her interruption at the beginning might have been deliberate.

https://www.elliotcolburn.co.uk/news/trans-rights

Beardy man in shirt and tie asks for the reason for advice on the definition of sex.

Because beardy men like you Eliot have made it necessary.

'this may seem like a ridiculous question' - 🤔

Point of information, if anyone's wondering: Carolyn Harris is a full-on trans supporter who has consistently refused to listen to constituents' concerns about trans ideology.

What a cock! A biological sex cock.

He's going for the DSD gotcha isn't he? Prat.

Has it gone off?

Sorry, ignore me, my connection

I may be slightly behind, but it's interesting that they have asked Stonewall for cases for legal test. Presumably they've not been forthcoming.