WES Streeting took potshot at Keir Starmer over saying "trans women are women", a phrase which both he and the Prime Minister have previously said.
Speaking to LBC Radio on Thursday, the Health Secretary said that transgender people could be treated in private rooms in the NHS.
He added that the NHS is still updating its guidance after the Supreme Court ruled the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act “refer to a biological woman and biological sex”.
This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) can be excluded from single-sex spaces if “proportionate”.
When asked about his previous comments, Streeting said those who used to argue “trans women are women” should have the “humility” to admit they were not right.
In an apparent dig at Starmer, he said: “I’ve addressed this previously and I don’t mind kind of saying, ‘look, you know, I don’t think that was the right thing to say’.
“And actually, I wish I’d listened much earlier. I don’t think we, to be honest, given some of the rough discourse we’ve had on these issues in recent years, I don’t think we lose anything by having a bit of humility to say, ‘actually, I wish we’d listened’.”
Earlier this week, Starmer said the Supreme Court ruling offered “real clarity”.
The Prime Minister, who had previously said “trans women are women”, was asked to repeat that statement but instead said: “I think the Supreme Court has answered that question.”
Asked if that means he does not believe a transgender woman is a woman, he told ITV West Country: “A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear.
“I actually welcome the judgment because I think it gives real clarity. It allows those that have got to draw up guidance to be really clear about what that guidance should say.
“So I think it’s important that we see the judgment for what it is. It’s a welcome step forward.”
