KEIR Starmer has said he is “supportive” of governing bodies’ actions to ban transgender women from competing in women’s sport categories, adding that “common sense has to prevail”.
The Labour leader had previously declined to comment publicly on his position, but speaking to Telegraph Sport on Monday he said “decisions” must be taken on whether or not trans women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports.
Starmer (below) said: “I think the important thing is that the sports governing bodies take a lead on this. And they are doing that, and we’re supportive of what they’re doing, particularly in elite sport.
“So, that’s where the decision should be taken. They’ve taken a number of decisions. And, in the end, common sense has to prevail in terms of safety and integrity of sport.”
The comment comes just weeks after the mother of murdered trans teenager Brianna Ghey watched Prime Minister’s Questions from the public gallery, when Starmer criticised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over comments he made about “defining a woman”.
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“Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna’s mother is in this chamber. Shame,” Starmer said at the time.
“Parading as a man of integrity when he’s got absolutely no responsibility.”
Transgender women have recently been banned from competing in women’s sport categories by athletics, rowing, cricket, swimming and cycling bodies.
Trans women have also been “temporarily” banned from competing in women’s chess competitions by the International Chess Federation, with a permanent decision to be reached within the next two years.
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