[Cherie]

Labour has become embroiled in a fresh row over trans rights after activists put forward a biological man to be the women's officer for an LGBT+ group.

The Trans Rights Alliance, a newly formed organisation seeking to change Labour's approach to gender issues, has put forward a number of candidates for election on July 19.

One of them includes Steph Richards - a transgender woman in possession of a gender recognition certificate - who is standing for women's officer.

However, a gender critical group within the party, Labour LGB, said the move breaks party rules by 'putting a man forward to be a women's officer'.

Sharing the list of candidates, the group posted on X: 'Many people say that trans ideology is a men's rights movement.

'The "Trans Alliance" (seeking to take over the once-great LGBT+ Labour) has set out to prove this.

'Also breaking party rules by putting a man forward to be Women's Officer.'

However, Ms Richards has pushed back at claims she does not have a right to stand for the position.

She told Labour List: 'I am legally female, other than in regards to the Equality Act and the Equality Act does not apply to the position within LGBT+ Labour so I am thoroughly within my legal right and my moral right to be able to stand.'

The row is the latest example of how Labour has been torn apart by the trans rights issue following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court earlier this year.

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of 'flip-flopping' on the judgement which determined that the word sex in the Equality Act does not refer to gender identity.

The Labour leader, who now says he accepts the Supreme Court ruling, previously said he believed that trans women were women.

It comes after Labour decided to scrap its women's conference rather than face legal challenges and protests if it continued to admit transgender women.

Background papers said there was a 'significant risk of legal challenge to the event as it currently operates' and warned: 'There may be protests and heightened security risks to staff and attendees should the event go ahead.'

A Labour Party spokesman said: 'Labour must ensure all party procedures comply with the Supreme Court's clear ruling.

'Labour is clear that everyone in our society deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.'

That ain't happening is it? Why do we never seen transmen put forward for male roles mmm