WEC to question the EHRC Chair and Chief Executive 11 June 2025 2:20pm

[IwantToRetire]

The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will question the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Baroness Falkner of Margravine in Parliament on Wednesday, 11 June during its annual scrutiny session of the EHRC.

Venue: The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Watch live: Visit parliamentlive.tv Women and Equalities Committee

The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will question the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Baroness Falkner of Margravine in Parliament on Wednesday, 11 June during its annual scrutiny session of the EHRC.

MPs on the cross-party committee, chaired by Labour MP Sarah Owen, will discuss the EHRC’s work and resources and wider equalities policy, including the implications of the For Women Scotland Supreme Court judgment and the EHRC’s subsequent consultation on the Code of Practice.

The Committee will hear from the EHRC’s Chief Executive, John Kirkpatrick, alongside Baroness Falkner.

Witnesses
Starting at 2.20pm
Baroness Kishwer Falkner of Margravine, Chair, Equality and Human Rights Commission
John Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive, Equality and Human Rights Commission

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-committee/news/207403/wec-to-question-the-ehrc-chair-and-chief-executive/

(I came across this by chance whilst looking for a date for the WEC interview with Mary-Ann Stephenson but could find nothing - anybody know when it will be.)

Are we going to be treated by any chance to the edifying sight of the Women and Equalities Committee demanding to know why women should be permitted their protections in law when this does not suit men?

I really, really hope not.

I imagine so, remember when they questioned Kemi.

If you want to, you can also write to the committee to ask them to raise particular concerns or questions with the EHRC.
Email: [email protected]

I hope Sarah Owen is less antagonistic and rude than Caroline Nokes.

Can't see a date for the hearing with Mary-Ann Stephenson. Baroness Falkner's term doesn't end until November, but I imagine they'll want to schedule it for before summer recess.

I keep feeling I want to send Baroness Falkner an email or something saying, they are not worthy to question you!

Keep showing your clear thinking on women's sex based rights.

Thanks.

I wonder if it happens in private?

But hope it will be shown as could indicate the thoughts of both the committee and the applicant.

Is the WEC going to question them about women or about trans people?

Not forgetting that the EHRC is about many different rights and equality across the UK, but this will show how much the WEC want to blur the lines.

I think Falkner has shown that she knows there are women's rights and there are the rights of those with a GRC.

Pre-appointment scrutiny hearings are in public. I've been to a couple in person, and they're streamed on Parliament TV. If you get a chance to watch one they're really interesting.

The principle is that ministers decide who they want in the job, and the select committee's job is to ask the candidate questions to determine whether they're suitable for the job. They publish a report after the hearing, and can note any reservations, but those reservations aren't binding on the Secretary of State.

As long as the candidate can demonstrate that she's credible, there shouldn't be a problem. But it might reveal something about the views of committee members.

Thanks! I was just going to post that I had found the info about them being public etc..

But also checked and at the moment neither the WEC nor the JCHR have any pre appointment meetigns scheduled.

There's a recent example of a hearing here: Parliamentlive.tv - Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

It would be rare for sparks to fly at one of these meetings. It's not unknown for a committee to produce a negative report, but it's rare.

Just a reminder about the EHRC consultation. Sex Matters have done a crib sheet to use.
https://sex-matters.org/take-action/respond-to-the-ehrc-consultation-now/

Do NOT follow Sex Matters advice to cut and paste.

You response will be binned.

Just a reminder as this is a known issue with consultations.

Well as we expected and as Baroness Falkner has now had to say she feels the WEC are shooting the messenger rather than the source.

So far all questioners are about how terrible it is for trans people.

Although interestingly (as though they may have argeed this approach) all asked her if she thinks the only way it will be resolved is if Parliament takes action to clarify / change the EA.

And i doubt that would be in favour of biological women and the protected characteristic of sex.

Also watching now but I’m at the beginning

Can see Maya and Fiona McAnena in the audience.

This committee is amazing. I presume they have never heard any women on their campaign doorstep, or receive communications, on the erosion of women’s rights to dignity, safety and opportunities by blokes claiming to be women. When we know that is not true in general by women saying they raised it, or emailed their representatives.

Yet, they allege to have reams of examples from blokes claiming to be women who are terrified. Terrified apparently.

Chair is extremely hostile.

Rosie Duffield opened up the threat from TRAs and asked Falkner to talk about it. She did a bit tearful.

Chair stopped her from continuing.

Just outrageous.

Can one complain about the conduct of the Chair of a Committee?

On foot of the SC saying women and girls have sex protections, this Committee seems to be devastated that men can’t so easily trample over them. Rather than thinking it good that women and girls have sex protections, they are all about how can blokes desires override those protections.

The Chair is awful, pretty rude so far.

Who is the Chair?

I think it was discussed before here with Nokes who was equally poor, and Maria Miller. They are always so awful. I think the conclusion was the Parliamentary Standards Committee is the one which would cover it.

Joined late so dont know.

Talk about manipulation.

The EHRC covers more than just making TW feel they are the centre of the world.

This Committee is actually undermining the value of the function it should serve.

Is it Sarah Owen as the original post says?