Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, gave Lee Anderson a blistering response during a heated exchange in the House of Commons. The clash occurred after Anderson made controversial remarks about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on gender, which defined sex as biological.
🔥 Anderson’s Provocation
It all began when Anderson, a Reform UK MP, questioned the validity of the Supreme Court’s decision, asking Phillipson: “Can a woman have a penis?” His comment sparked an angry retort from the minister.
Phillipson shot back: “I’ll tell you what, blokes shouldn’t beat up women. Maybe he should have a word with his colleague,” in reference to Reform UK MP James McMurdock’s past conviction for assault.
🕵️♂️ McMurdock’s Past Under Fire
Phillipson’s remark was a direct jab at McMurdock, who was convicted 19 years ago for assaulting his girlfriend. The incident had come to light during a previous exchange between Phillipson and Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice. McMurdock, who was 19 at the time, spent time in a young offenders’ institution for the attack and has since expressed deep remorse.
🏛️ A War of Words
As the debate continued, Tice tried to bring up the Supreme Court’s ruling again, asking Phillipson for clarity on its implementation in both public and private sectors. Phillipson, however, wasn’t having any of it and swiftly countered: “I will take no lectures from his party about defending women’s rights, given that one of his own was convicted and went to prison for assaulting his former partner.”
💬 A Reminder of Past Controversy
This wasn’t the first time McMurdock’s past had been raised in the Commons. His conviction has been a point of controversy for many, with Nigel Farage previously defending him, calling McMurdock a “good example to young tearaways” for turning his life around.
⚡ The Tensions Escalate
In the end, what was supposed to be a policy discussion about the Supreme Court ruling devolved into a full-blown political squabble. The personal jabs between the MPs highlighted the ongoing divisions over women’s rights, gender definitions, and past controversies.
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