Atkins 'risks accusations of hypocrisy' over Stonewall

Victoria Atkins, the health secretary, said this week that those who refused to follow all of the Cass Review's transmedicine recommendations were & # 39;following Stonewall' Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Victoria Atkins risks being accused of hypocrisy after meeting Stonewall in the past, despite criticism of her role in the puberty blocker controversy, a campaigner has suggested.

The Minister of Health met with representatives of LGBT+ charity in 2018 when she was equalities minister and her team met with them four times.

But earlier this week she said those who refused to follow all Cass Review recommendations regarding transmedicine, “followed Stonewall.”

She tweeted: “Humza Yousaf only wants some of the Cass Review recommendations implemented. : Which? Instead of following the detailed and damning evidence that the Review provides, it follows Stonewall. The same Stonewall who wanted to 'destroy' evidence in 2018.»

Stonewall supported the use of drugs in young people seeking gender reassignment and advised schools to destroy another charity's research package highlighting the risks of using puberty blockers .

Kass's review found the evidence to be weak. in favor of using puberty blockers to treat children unsure of their gender.

'Risk accusations of hypocrisy'

The Telegraph can reveal Ms Atkins previously cited the Stonewall study in the House of Commons when she was a minister at the Home Office.

She said: “We are pleased to support a number of community projects aimed at tackling LGBT people.” hate crimes, including collaborations with Barnardo's, Stop Hate UK and the football initiative Kick It Out.

“We continue to advance this and other work, working closely with the Government Equalities Office and a range of stakeholders including Gallop and Stonewall.”

Kate Coleman, from the campaign group Keep Prisons Single, said: “I would said that those who now attack Stonewall without even examining their previous relationships with them risk being accused of hypocrisy.

“However, transparency and accountability must include a critical examination of the role played by previous government inquiries, departments, ministers and MPs, and must extend to all sectors where gender identity ideology has taken root.

“The role that Stonewall played in this completely disgraceful and frankly catastrophic situation is clear.”

It is customary to hold introductory meetings.

Ms. Atkins’ team also held a meeting with the Mermaids, causing controversy. charity accused of pushing puberty blockers on children, and she had previously also referred to the Stonewall study when discussing the prevalence of homophobia.

She referred to two MPs who cited statistics, “including the appalling ones described in the study Stonewall.» It showed one in 10 people surveyed had experienced homophobic, biphobic or transphobic violence or behavior online in the last month.»

Ms Atkins' spokesman said: «There are regular induction meetings for Government ministers with the organisation. related to their new departmental assignment.»