Penny Mordaunt suggested Rishi Sunak should reflect on his words after a row erupted over his transgender joke at Prime Minister’s Questions.
The Prime Minister mocked Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on “defining a woman” during an attack on his U-turns yesterday.
But Mr Sunak’s jibe prompted criticism as the Labour leader pointed out that Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered trans teenager Brianna Ghey, was visiting Parliament.
Speaking in the Commons today, Ms Mordaunt said Sir Keir should also “reflect on his actions”.
The Commons Leader, who is a former Tory leadership hopeful, told MPs: “Whatever the rough and tumble of this place, whatever the pressures and mistakes that are made in the heat of political combat, we owe it to the people who sent us here to strive every day to make them proud of us and this place.
“The Prime Minister is a good and caring man. I am sure that he has reflected on things and I understand he will say something later today, or perhaps even during this session.
“That is not just about Mr and Mrs Ghey that he should reflect on, but I am sure he is also reflecting about people who are trans, or who have trans loved ones and family, some of whom sit on these green benches.
“I hope the leader of the Opposition will also reflect on his actions too.”
Mr Sunak, who has refused to apologise for the remarks, said it was “the worst of politics” to link his comments to Brianna’s case.
He said: “Like everyone, I was completely shocked by Brianna’s case. To have your child taken from you in such awful circumstances is almost impossible to come to terms with, and for Brianna’s mum to talk with such empathy and compassion about that, I thought, was inspiring, and it showed the very best of humanity.
“I’ve nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy for her entire family and friends.
“But to use that tragedy to detract from the very separate and clear point I was making about Keir Starmer’s proven track record of multiple U-turns on major policies, because he doesn’t have a plan, I think is both sad and wrong, and it demonstrates the worst of politics.”
Brianna’s father, Peter Spooner, has said Mr Sunak should say sorry for the “degrading” and “dehumanising” remark made in the Commons.
Asked to respond to Mr Spooner’s demand for an apology, Mr Sunak insisted his comments had been “absolutely legitimate”.
He said: “If you look at what I said, I was very clear, talking about Keir Starmer’s proven track record of U-turns on major policies because he doesn’t have a plan.”
Ms Ghey, on the Facebook page of the Peace & Mind UK campaign she set up in her daughter’s memory, later wrote: “I don’t wish to comment on reports of wording or comments recently made. My focus is on creating a positive change and a lasting legacy for Brianna.
“Through Peace & Mind, we want to improve lives by empowering people, giving them the tools they need to build mental resilience, empathy and self-compassion through mindfulness. In developing these skills, I hope that we can create a more understanding, peaceful and stronger society for everyone.”
