Equalities watchdog forced to move office after threats from trans activists
Britain's equalities watchdog has been forced to move office after being inundated with threats from transgender activists, it has been revealed.
A group previously linked to attacks on MPs' offices and a women's conference has forced the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to relocate its headquarters after targeting the watchdog, chairwoman Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson said.
On Tuesday, Dr Stephenson told the women and equalities select committee that fears over the safety of EHRC staff have escalated in the wake of the landmark Supreme Court ruling, which clarified the definition of sex under the Equality Act.
The equalities watchdog chairwoman was probed by gender-critical MP Rosie Duffield - who resigned from Labour in 2024 over Sir Keir Starmer's so-called "cruel policies".
The independent MP asked whether EHRC staff felt safe following demonstrations against their work.
Dr Stephenson revealed they had been forced to move away from their office in Vauxhall "because of an attack on the building, vandalism, by a group that had also vandalised conferences and Wes Streeting’s office".
“I hope that where we are now we are in a safe position, but it is something that I’m very conscious of, particularly in terms of the safety of the staff," she added.
Militant transgender activist group Bash Back is believed to be behind the threats to the watchdog.
Despite describing itself as a "nonviolent direct action group", it has previously claimed responsibility for vandalising events attended by gender-critical campaigners.
And just days ago, Bash Back released a guide instructing members to arm themselves and carry out repeated illegal attacks against "transphobic" groups, MPs and various organisations.
Activists are told to establish "independent local cells", "identify a target" and "ensure your target can be hit repeatedly until they desist" from what the group considers "transphobic" activities.
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Last year, the militant group targeted the EHRC offices, with videos circulating across social media showing activists spray painting the building and destroying windows.
Following the attack, the group told gay news outlet Pink News: “The EHRC has described human rights as basic rights and freedoms that belong to every human in the world.
"But they demand certain rights be denied from trans people - denied from us specifically. Are we not human?
“This is just the beginning - we can only secure our freedoms through constant resistance.
"We will not stop until we are free," they added.
Dr Stephenson warned MPs that the debate surrounding sex and gender had turned “increasingly febrile and deeply unpleasant”.
The EHRC chairwoman said: “It has been unpleasant for trans people. It has also been very unpleasant for very many numbers of women who were trying to argue what the Supreme Court has now said is the law.”
She added: “One of the best ways to resolve these sorts of conflicts is through dialogue that recognises the needs of different groups.
“I think one of the reasons why discussion has become so unpleasant in this area is because for such a long time, that dialogue was prevented from happening.”
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