Thirty two Labour MPs have written to the EHRC urging it to reconsider its draft guidance, which they say will “open the door to discrimination and harassment against trans people”.
Lucy Powell, Phillipson’s deputy leadership rival, has said she believes the EHRC guidance goes too far – and has called for MPs to be given a vote on it.
Speaking at a fringe event Labour’s annual conference last month, Powell said: “I think we have got some of the language not right on this, and particularly around some of the guidance that’s coming forward.
“I really strongly feel like we need a robust and transparent parliamentary conversation about that, because when we’re looking at applying the law as parliamentarians, we should have a say on that and that’s something I’ll be pushing for as well.”
A government spokesperson said: “The government is considering the draft updated code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the minister will lay it before Parliament.
“The proposed code of practice is over 300 pages long, so it is important that the correct process is followed.”
Labour members have begun voting in the contest to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader. The vote will close on 23 October, with the result to be announced on 25 October.
