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Rishi and Starmer clash after PM made comment about Labour leader’s trans stance while Brianna’s mum was in Parliament
The PM was asked to apologise for the comment
RISHI Sunak today risked a major row after making a jibe about Labour's stance on trans people while Esther Ghey visited parliament.
The mother of Brianna, the trans teen brutally murdered in a stabbing attack, was in Westminster to watch PMQs.
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Ms Ghey is understood to have entered the Commons chamber for PMQs after the comment - but both Mr Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer were under the impression she was present as it was made.
In a back-and-forth with Sir Keir, the PM jokingly referenced the Labour chief's view that one per cent of women have a penis.
He said: "We are bringing the waiting lists down for the longest waiters and making progress, but it is a bit rich to hear about promises from someone who has broken every single promise he was elected on.
"I think I have counted almost 30 in the last year. Pensions, planning, peerages, public sector pay, tuition fees, childcare, second referendums, defining a woman, although in fairness that was only 99 per cent of a U-turn."
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Responding to the PM, Sir Keir said: "Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna's mother is in this chamber. Shame.
"Parading as a man of integrity when he's got absolutely no responsibility."
He added: "I think the role of the Prime Minister is to ensure that every single citizen in this country feels safe and respected, it's a shame that the Prime Minister doesn't share that."
Earlier in PMQs Sir Keir said: "This week the unwavering bravery of Brianna Ghey's mother Esther has touched us all.
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"As a father, I can't even imagine the pain that she is going through and I am glad that she is with us in the gallery here today."
The PM was asked by multiple MPs to apologise to Ms Ghey.
At the end of PMQs he said: "I'd like to say to Brianna's mother, what happened was an unspeakable and shocking tragedy.
"In the face of that for her mother to demonstrate the compassion and empathy that she did demonstrated the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst of humanity."
Commenting on the PM's jibe, Labour MP Jess Phillips said: "Rishi Sunak is an absolute disgrace.
"Deplorable man with no heart, no sense, no clue."
Shadow Equalities Minister Anneliese Dodds said: "This isn't the first time Rishi Sunak has used LGBT+ people as a punchline to a cruel joke.
"But making jokes about trans people in front of the mother of Brianna Ghey is a shameful new low.
"We must do better than this. The Prime Minister should apologise immediately."
Sir Keir met with Ms Ghey after PMQs.
He said: "Today I met Esther Ghey, whose daughter Brianna was murdered last year.
"I am utterly in awe of her strength and bravery in the face of such unimaginable grief, as she campaigns to make sure no parent has to go through what she did.
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"Labour will work with campaigners and parents like Esther to ensure our children and young people have the mental health support they need.
"It’s what Brianna and her family deserve."
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