Rishi Sunak has refused to offer Brianna Ghey’s parents an apology and has argued that it is “sad and wrong” to associate the murdered teenager with his transgender pun at Prime Minister’s Questions.
Peter Spooner, Brianna’s parent, advised Mr. Sunak to express regret for the “degrading” and “dehumanizing” note made in the Commons.
In an assault on Labour Party U-turns, Mr. Sunak had charged Sir Keir Starmer with having trouble “defining a woman.”
When Mr. Sunak aimed the jibe at Sir Keir, Esther Ghey, the mother of Brianna, who was trans, was in Parliament.
Sir Keir told Mr. Sunak, “Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna’s mother is in range. Shame.”
However, the Prime Minister asserted on Thursday that linking his remarks to Brianna’s event was “the worst of politicians.”
He stated to reporters during a trip to Cornwall, “Like everyone, I was totally shocked by Brianna’s situation.” It is nearly impossible to accept having your child taken away from you in such terrible circumstances, so Brianna’s mother talking about it with such compassion and empathy struck me as exciting and demonstrated the very best of humanity.
“I have nothing but the deepest love for her whole family and friends.
However, I believe it is both sad and incorrect and it demonstrates that he doesn’t have a plan.”
Mr. Sunak insisted that his “legitimate” remarks had been asked to respond to “an absolutely legitimate criticism of Mrs. Ghey,” while asked to respond to Mr. Spooner’s request for an apology.
“If you look at what I said, I was very clear in mentioning Keir Starmer’s demonstrated history of turning big laws against him because he lacks a plan.”
Ms. Ghey later wrote, “I don’t want to comment on reports of wording or comments recently made,” on the Facebook page of the Peace & Mind UK campaign she created in memory of her daughter. “My main goal is to bring about positive change and a profound legacy for Brianna.”
“We want to improve life by empowering people and providing them with the resources they need to develop emotional resilience, compassion, and self-compassion through mindfulness. I believe that by honing these skills, we can foster a more compassionate, peaceful, and resilient nation for all.”
Penny Mordaunt, a cabinet minister, claimed Mr. Sunak had “reflected on points” following his remarks.
“We owe it to the people who sent us here to work hard every day to make them proud of us and this place, the Commons Leader declared.
She continued, “He should think about people who are trans, or who have trans loved ones and family, some of whom sit on these green benches, not just about (Brianna’s parents).”
“I hope the opposition leader may consider his actions as well.”
Paul Scully, a Tory former business minister, said on BBC Politics Live, “If it were me, I would likely pick up the phone to Brianna’s father, openly.”
Mr. Sunak is “very keen” to meet Brianna’s family, according to police secretary Chris Philp, and it is understood that Number 10 has contacted them to set up a meeting.
After her daughter was killed, Brianna’s family campaigned for meditation classes to be taught in schools while she was in Westminster for PMQs with Charlotte Nichols, a local MP in Warrington.
Teens Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe fatally stabbed Brianna in a Cheshire park in February of last year.
The judge stated during their imprisonment earlier this month that the “exceptionally brutal” death had elements of both depravity on the part of Jenkinson and misogynistic hatred on Ratcliffe’s part.
The claim that Mr. Sunak frequently used trans people as a joke or punchline was rejected by Downing Street, but it was made clear that his opinions on gender identity remained the same.
He claimed that being clear about what a woman is shouldn’t be contentious. That’s not least because, according to his official spokesman, the essential truths of biological sex are crucial in fields like healthcare and other services.
