During an appearance on GB News, Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain declined to provide a direct response when presenter Camilla Tominey asked her whether women can have penises.
The exchange occurred as the Liberal Democrats gathered for their party conference in Bournemouth, where leader Sir Ed Davey had earlier led a marching band performance.
When Camilla posed the question directly, Ms Chamberlain characterised it as a “gotcha” attempt rather than offering a straightforward answer.
The MP’s evasion came despite Camilla’s reference to a Supreme Court ruling that determined transgender women are not classified as women under the Equalities Act.
The question about whether a woman can have a penis is causing a stir at the Liberal Democrats conference
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GB NEWS / PA
Ms Chamberlain indicated she would not engage with the question until the Equality and Human Rights Commission releases its guidance on the matter.
The discussion highlighted ongoing tensions within the party regarding transgender issues, with Ms Chamberlain acknowledging that a “mini debate” on diversity quotas had emerged at the conference.
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“I am not going to give you a straight answer on that because it feels like a bit of a ‘gotcha’, Camilla,” Ms Chamberlain stated when pressed on the issue.
The MP insisted that the party would postpone any substantive discussion until receiving comprehensive guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
“We would just end up having the same debate again once that comes out. That’s what we’re waiting for,” she explained during the interview.
Despite acknowledging that her party accepts the Supreme Court’s decision, Ms Chamberlain maintained her position that addressing the question directly would be premature.
“We will have the debate when the time is right and we will move on,” she told Camilla.
The Liberal Democrat representative emphasised that any future discussions would need to ensure “everybody’s rights” are respected, suggesting this consideration justified her reluctance to engage with the specific question about biological definitions.
Ms Chamberlain joined Camilla Tominey on GB News
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GB NEWS
Camilla challenged Ms Chamberlain’s characterisation of her inquiry, arguing that the Supreme Court’s determination made it a legitimate question rather than an attempt to trap the MP.
“The Supreme Court rules a trans woman is not a woman, it’s therefore not a ‘gotcha’ question to ask whether a woman can have a penis,” the presenter asserted.
When Ms Chamberlain attempted to clarify the court’s position, stating it had determined that “sex under the Equalities Act meant a biological woman, a woman born female,” Camilla remained unconvinced by the MP’s continued avoidance.
The GB News host rejected any suggestion that her line of questioning lacked compassion, declaring: “I’m not lacking in compassion.”
Ed Davey arrives at Liberal Democrats conference in Bournemouth
Ed Davey arrives at Liberal Democrats conference in Bournemouth
She pressed further, expressing disbelief at Ms Chamberlain’s stance: “You can’t possibly be telling me after the Supreme Court ruling a woman can have a penis.”
Despite Camilla’s persistent efforts to secure a definitive response, Ms Chamberlain maintained her position that proper guidance from the EHRC must precede any conclusive statements on the matter.
The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of the Liberal Democrat autumn conference, where party leader Sir Ed Davey had opened proceedings by conducting a marching band through Bournemouth while twirling a baton.
Chamberlain’s interview responses reflected broader tensions within the party regarding transgender rights and diversity policies, which she acknowledged had sparked internal discussions about quota systems.
Ed Davey arrived at the Liberal Democrats conference in Bournemouth with a marching band
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GB NEWSThroughout the exchange, the MP attempted to balance her acknowledgement of the Supreme Court’s ruling with an emphasis on compassionate treatment of all individuals.
“It’s really important when looking at equalities legislation, the rights of everybody is respected,” Ms Chamberlain stated, adding that this consideration warranted “compassion on all sides”.
When pressed repeatedly by Camilla, Ms Chamberlain reiterated: “I have just said I respect the Supreme Court ruling. I think what’s important is we see the EHRC guidance that follows.”
The MP’s insistence on deferring to future regulatory guidance rather than addressing the biological question directly highlighted the political sensitivities surrounding gender identity debates within her party.
