UPDATE: |’A woman is an adult female’: Keir Starmer says Supreme Court decision gives ‘real clarity’ News

The country’s highest court issued a new ruling on the legal definition of a woman last week

Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “really pleased” with the clarity offered by the Supreme Court’s judgment on the legal definition of a woman.

Last week, the court of final appeal determined that the definition of a woman and sex in the Equality Act relates to “a biological woman and biological sex”, unanimously ruling in favour of challenges brought about by a women’s rights campaign group.

For Women Scotland (FWS) had been appealing for clarity on the definition of a woman in UK law since 2022.

In his first public comments since the justices’ decision on April 16, the Prime Minister welcomed the court’s ruling.

Sir Keir, who has previously said “transwomen 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 transwoman 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 judgement 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.

“It’s real clarity in an area where we did need clarity, I’m pleased it’s come about.

“We need to move and make sure that we now ensure that all guidance is in the right place according to that judgment.”

Last week’s ruling stemmed from a legal dispute in Scotland but could have a profound effect on the rights of transgender women across the UK.

The ruling could also change the 2004 Gender Recognition Act, which rules that those with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) have the legal right to live in their acquired gender. This could affect what legal rights trans women have as women.

The ruling means that transgender women with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) can be excluded from single-sex spaces if ‘proportionate’.

Public services, however, will have to show that excluding trans people is a limited and proportionate means to achieving a legitimate aim – and blanket bans are generally discouraged.

It also means that trans women cannot use single-sex female toilets, changing rooms or compete in women’s sports, according to the head of Britain’s equalities watchdog.

British public bodies, including hospitals, are now reviewing guidance on sex and gender after the ruling.

The British Transport Police (BTP) has become one of the first to announce a change of policy in light of the divisive court ruling.

The police force announced that male officers will begin performing searches of trans women in light of the decision. It said the move is an ‘interim position’, where trans people held in custody will be searched by an officer in line with their birth sex.