'Denying science': Starmer's claim it is 'not right' only women have a cervix dismissed

26 September 2021, 15:37

The Labour Leader said that it is "not right" that only women have a cervix.
The Labour Leader said that it is "not right" that only women have a cervix. Picture: Alamy

By Elizabeth Haigh

Sajid Javid has branded Sir Keir Starmer's claim it is "not right" that only women have a cervix as a "total denial of scientific fact".

The Secretary of Health and Social Care tweeted in response to the Labour Leader's remarks, which came amid a Labour Party row over transgender rights.

Mr Starmer said today that the claim only women have a cervix is "something that shouldn't be said. It's not right."

Labour MP Rosie Duffield announced she would not attend the Labour Party conference this weekend after receiving threats following comments she made suggesting that only women have a cervix.

Read more: Angela Rayner refuses to apologise for calling Tories 'scum' and 'racist'

Read more: Rayner was 'expressing real emotion' and 'humanity' in Tory 'scum' rant, says McDonnell

Her comments have been criticised by transgender activists, as well as women who have had a hysterectomy or do not reproductive organs.

Ms Duffield has also advocated for spaces that only those born as women can enter, which would exclude transgender women.

Both Mr Starmer and Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner have condemned the abuse of female MPs.

Read more: Nandy refuses to defend Rayner after she blasts senior Tories as 'scum'

Several Conservative MPs have criticised his comments, among them the Secretary of Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid.

Mr Javid wrote: "Total denial of scientific fact.

"And he wants to run the NHS."

Conservative MP Angela Richardson praised Mr Javid, and in a separate tweet wrote that the Labour Party "clearly have a woman problem."

Transgender men have spoken out on social media in support of Mr Starmer, arguing that despite being male, they also have a cervix.

They highlighted the importance of cervical screening and smear tests for transgender men, who could suffer from cervix-related illnesses despite being male.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Mohamed Mansour has been awarded a knighthood

Conservatives accused of 'cronyism' after donor who gave £5 million given knighthood in surprise honours list

Exclusive
Justin Welby recalled his experience of coping with his father's drinking as a teenager.

‘It was utterly isolating’: Archbishop of Canterbury recalls harrowing experience of growing up with his alcoholic father

More than 2 million drivers are set to hit the road on Good Friday.

Easter Carmageddon: Over two million drivers to hit the road on Good Friday after Storm Nelson travel chaos

Michael Gove has slammed the water firm as a 'disgrace'.

Thames Water bosses branded a ‘disgrace’ as Michael Gove tells firm ‘not to punish consumers’ for its failings

South Africa Bus Crash

Girl, 8, the sole survivor as 45 die in bus crash off South Africa bridge

A spokesman has denied reports the sausage dog could be banned.

The wurst news is over: Germany denies claims of sausage dog ban

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza

Greece Confidence Vote

Greece’s government survives no-confidence motion called over rail disaster

A council has had to apologise following the incident.

Fury as parents offered version of school class photo without complex needs pupils

Conjoined twin who shot to fame with sister on The Oprah Winfrey Show marries army veteran in private ceremony

Conjoined twin who shot to fame with sister on The Oprah Winfrey Show marries army veteran in private ceremony

Israel Palestinians UN Security Council

Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto

Firefighters at the scene of a bus crash in Limpopo

Bus falls from bridge in South Africa and erupts into flames, killing at least 45 and leaving child, 8, as lone survivor

Music-Green Day UN

Green Day to headline UN-backed global climate concert

Exclusive
Starmer has vowed to resurrect Boris Johnson's 'Levelling Up' policy

Failure to ‘level up’ Britain would be ‘catastrophic’, Wes Streeting admits, as Starmer vows to resurrect Johnson policy

Border Force staff will walk out from April 11

Hundreds of Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport to stage four-day strike

Stephen Bear was ordered to pay Ms Harrison £5,000.

Disgraced reality TV star Stephen Bear ordered to pay £27,000 over revenge porn conviction or face nine months in jail