After Rishi Sunak made a jibe about Sir Keir Starmer’s position on trans issues while the family of Brianna Ghey was in parliament, the minister called for politicians to use “respectful and measured” speech.
Despite Brianna’s parents, Peter Spooner, calling the remarks “degrading” and “absolutely dehumanizing,” the government has not yet issued an apology for them.
While Brianna’s family, Esther Ghey, was in parliament, Mr. Sunak was criticized for aiming a political jab at Sir Keir about transgender people, claiming that the Labour head had broken his vows to “define women.”
While speaking to Sky News on Thursday morning, Chris Philp, the police minister, repeatedly declined to apologize on behalf of the prime minister despite Brianna’s family having requested one.
However, he added: “I believe there is a wider point here for politicians, journalists, and everyone to remember to always use courteous and measured language when discussing very sensitive issues, lest there be unforeseen consequences.”
Photo: Brianna Ghey. Cheshire Police, please
Shouts of “shame” at the prime minister in parliament following the transgender jibe
When asked if the prime minister should apologize, Mr. Philp responded that he shouldn’t because Sir Keir was referring to “numerous flip-flops and U-turns on all kinds of different issues.”
The prime minister later paid a “very trenchant tribute to Brianna and her family and the fortitude they’ve shown in what have been very tough circumstances,” he continued.
Mr. Philp retorted, “(Mr. Sunak) was talking very clearly about Keir Starmer’s flip-flops and U-turns,” when asked why the prime minister hadn’t apologized despite the remarks made by Brianna’s father. “It was crystal clear.”
Later, Mr. Philp insisted that the prime minister was making reference to Sir Keir’s position on trans issues and “didn’t even come close to mentioning Brianna.”
The police minister continued by saying that Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan wants to speak with Brianna’s mother about social media-related topics that were pertinent to her passing.
Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 15 years old, killed Brianna, 16, when she was stabbed to death in a Cheshire park in February of last year.
Jenkinson received a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison last month, while Ratcliffe received at least 22.
When they turn 18, the two, who are both 16 years old, may be moved to adult jails.
