Keir Starmer ‘shocked’ by Rishi Sunak’s trance jibe in the Commons

Sir Keir Starmer said he was “shocked” by Rishi Sunak’s tirade about the definition of a woman during Brianna Gee’s mother’s visit to Parliament.

The prime minister had previously accused him of using the murder of a transgender teenager to distract from his U-turn.

But the Labor leader told the BBC that Mr Sunak had a duty to make everyone in the country “feel safe” and said it was about “basic decency and respect”.

Mr Sunak continues to resist calls to apologize for his comments to MPs.

Brianna’s father called for an apology from the prime minister, but in an interview with the BBC on Friday he repeatedly denied making jokes about transgender people.

“That’s not what I did. It’s wrong to say that,” he told Radio Somerset.

“What happened was a tragedy and I used it to criticize Keir Starmer and his track record of U-turning multiple policy issues because he had no plan. attempted to undermine a very clear point.

“I don’t think it’s right to drag the families of people facing tragedy into politics like this. I think it’s sad and wrong,” he said.

Speaking in Cornwall on Thursday, Mr Sunak defended his original comments with Sir Keir during Prime Minister’s Questions as “totally justified” and accused him of displaying “the worst kind of politics”.

“I have nothing but heartfelt sympathy.” [Brianna Ghey’s] All my family and friends,” he said.

In an interview with BBC political editor Chris Mason, Sir Keir said Mr Sunak “should not have said what he said at Prime Minister’s Questions and should apologize. I take responsibility for his words. “That idea is something that happens through a mirror.” .

“I think Rishi Sunak needs to do the right thing, stop blaming others – he said those words – and actually take some responsibility and do the right thing, which is to apologize. Thing”

Sir Keir added that he was “truly shocked” that the Prime Minister would “use such words” in front of the murdered girl’s mother.

“I’m not alone. Most Conservative members in the chamber fell silent immediately. This is not a matter of party politics, but a matter of basic decency and respect, which is important to me.”

“The Prime Minister’s role is to ensure that each and every citizen of this country, whatever their identity, beliefs or background, feels safe and respected, and yesterday he breached that role and Yes, that’s what I thought.” I was shocked. ”

The exchange that sparked the row took place in the House of Commons, with Mr Sunak citing a number of U-turns from Labor and accusing Sir Keir of changing his position on the “definition of a woman”.

“To be fair, it was only a 99% U-turn,” he added. The comment refers to an interview in which Sir Keir said that 99.9% of women don’t have penises, when discussing the right of people to identify as a different gender than the one they were assigned at birth.

Sir Keir said: ‘It’s been weeks since Brianna’s mother said something like that when she was in this room. It’s a shame.

“Even though he has no responsibility whatsoever, he stands tall as an honest person.”

Brianna’s mother, Esther Gee, said in a statement that she did not want to comment on the statement because she is “focused on creating positive change and a lasting legacy for Brianna.” She supports a mindfulness campaign in schools.

Esther Gay was not in the general audience on Wednesday for the two leaders to exchange views during the Prime Minister’s Questions and Answers, but she arrived shortly afterwards.

Asked about the Prime Minister’s comments, House of Commons leader Penny Mordaunt said Mr Sunak was a “good, caring person”, adding: “I have no doubt he is remorseful.”

“And it’s not just gay couples that he should be reflecting on, but trans people, or people who have trans loved ones or family members, some of whom are sitting on the green benches. You must be thinking about it.

“I want the opposition leaders to reflect on their actions.

“This government was right to protect the safety and dignity of women at every step of the way to bring certainty and security to transgender people.

“This government is also right to hold the opposition accountable for the multiple contradictions and changes in direction in its policy platform.”

But former minister Paul Scully said Mr Sunak should apologize. “If it were me I would probably pick up the phone to Brianna’s father,” the Conservative MP told BBC’s Politics Live.

“There is no doubt that Mr Rishi is sympathetic,” he added, accusing the opposition of stirring up “confusing anger” over the comments.