Rishi Sunak information: PM refuses to apologise to Brianna Ghey’s dad and mom after ‘shameful’ trans joke

Rishi Sunak declined to apologise to Brianna Ghey’s father over his transgender joke within the Commons.

The Prime Minister insisted his feedback have been “absolutely legitimate” as a result of he was declaring Sir Keir Starmer’s U-turns.

Asked if he would apologise, he informed reporters in Cornwall: “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.

“A point only proven by today’s reports that the Labour Party and Keir Starmer are apparently planning to reverse on their signature economic green spending policy.

“That just demonstrates the point I was making. He’s someone who has just consistently changed his mind on a whole range of major things.

“I think that is an absolutely legitimate thing to point out and it demonstrates that he doesn’t have a plan for the country.”

Mr Sunak stated it was “sad and wrong” to hyperlink his feedback at Prime Minister’s Questions to Brianna Ghey’s case.

He stated: “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.”

Penny Mordaunt has suggested Rishi Sunak should reflect on his words, following his jibe about transgender people at Prime Minister’s Questions.

The Commons Leader stated: “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.”

Downing Street rejected the suggestion the Prime Minister has repeatedly used transgender individuals as a punchline or a joke.

It comes as Rishi Sunak refuses to apologise to Brianna Ghey’s father after he made a transgender joke at Prime Minister’s Questions.

His official spokesman stated: “I wouldn’t accept that he does that. I think, as you can see from the exchange yesterday and in previous exchanges, he’s obviously made political points in relation to the Opposition.

“The Prime Minister, more generally, has always spoken about the need to treat everyone with dignity and respect.”

He added: “I think the Prime Minister has always been clear that everyone should be free to live happy lives, everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. That’s the values that he holds, those are British values.

“He would always call on people to behave that way.”

Emma Mills, Brianna Ghey’s headteacher at Birchwood High School, who accompanied Esther Ghey to Parliament on Wednesday, informed BBC Breakfast: “We came in late into the gallery and missed what was said, and I don’t think she’s really had time to look at the context and what exactly was said, and she wants a little bit of time to be able to do that today.

“Yesterday, while we were there, we were just so focused on the mindfulness debate that we were going to and making sure that moves forward in a positive way. That wasn’t something we really discussed yesterday.”

Pressed on whether or not he was arguing Brianna’s father had misunderstood Mr Sunak’s comment, Mr Philp stated: “I have got every respect for, obviously, the views and feelings of a bereaved father.”

He stated the Prime Minister “would be very happy” to satisfy Brianna’s household, and that Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan wished to talk to Ms Ghey about on-line security.

Ms Ghey has been invited to a gathering, although it isn’t but confirmed whether or not or when it’ll take place.

Other Government ministers have additionally performed down Mr Sunak’s language, whereas Downing Street has insisted it was not transphobic however a part of “totally legitimate” criticism of Labour.

Rishi Sunak is “very keen” to satisfy murdered teenager Brianna Ghey’s household, a Government minister has stated, however there isn’t any signal of the Prime Minister heeding her father’s name for an apology over a transgender joke.

Brianna’s father, Peter Spooner, stated Mr Sunak ought to ask for forgiveness for the “degrading” and “dehumanising” comment made throughout Prime Minister’s Questions.

Mr Sunak had accused Sir Keir Starmer of getting problem in “defining a woman” throughout an attack on Labour social gathering U-turns.

But with the mom of Brianna, who was transgender, visiting Parliament, his remark prompted fierce criticism from throughout the political spectrum.

Policing minister Chris Philp on Thursday defended the Prime Minister’s jibe, telling BBC Breakfast: “The Prime Minister made no reference at all to any individual trans people.

“It was Keir Starmer who introduced that. The Prime Minister was making a point about Labour’s very numerous flip-flops.”

Asked about Mr Spooner’s request for an apology, Mr Philp stated he was “very sad” to listen to his feedback, however steered individuals “should actually listen” to the change within the House of Commons.

A senior Labour MP has described Rishi Sunak’s trans joke as a “shameful new low”.

Anneliese Dodds, shadow ladies and equalities secretary, stated politicians “must do better than this”.

“The prime minister should apologise immediately,” she added.

Business secretary Kemi Badenoch has accussed Keir Starmer of “weaponising” trans points and linking “his own inability to be clear on the matter of sex and gender directly” to Brianna’s mom’s grief, Kate Devlin stories.

Ms Badenoch has infected the row over Rishi Sunak’s crass trans joke by blaming Keir Starmer, accusing him of “political point-scoring”.

In a publish on Twitter, previously referred to as X, she wrote: “Every murder is a tragedy. None should be trivialised by political point-scoring. As a mother, I can imagine the trauma that Esther Ghey has endured.

“It was shameful of Starmer to link his own inability to be clear on the matter of sex and gender directly to her grief.”

She added: “As Minister for Women and Equalities I’ve done all I can to ensure we have take the heat out of the debate on LGBT issues while being clear about our beliefs and principles.

“Keir Starmer’s behaviour today shows Labour are happy to weaponise this issue when it suits them.”