Dawn Neesom reveals rape and death threats for 'speaking about biological realities'

The discussion comes on the same day that an employment tribunal in Newcastle delivered a significant ruling in a related case concerning women's spaces.

Eight nurses from County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust successfully argued that their employer had subjected them to harassment by permitting a transgender colleague to use female changing facilities without offering an appropriate alternative.

Speaking on The People's Channel, Dawn said: "To a certain extent, I do think the debate has been hijacked and politicised, with a lot of violence coming from within the transgender community aimed at biological women.

"Many women, myself included, have received rape and death threats for speaking about biological reality, and that should not happen.

“Obviously nobody should feel threatened when going to the supermarket or using public transport.

"However, this debate has been hijacked, and the violence is coming from one side and it is not women.”

"But it does seem that things have become more and more extreme over the last few years.

"When J.K. Rowling put out her original tweet, it was very much ‘wear what you want, dress how you want I’ll support you living your life’. It feels like we’ve moved a long way from that.”

Dawn Neesom replied: “I can’t speak for J.K. Rowling personally, but she still feels the same, and most women feel the same.

"Do what you want with your life you have rights but your rights do not trump my rights.”

The tribunal determined that the trust's actions created a "hostile, intimidating, humiliating and degrading environment" for the claimants.

Lead claimant Bethany Hutchison described the outcome as "a victory for common sense and for every woman who simply wants to feel safe at work."

She added: "Women deserve access to single-sex spaces without fear or intimidation. Forcing us to undress in front of a man was not only degrading but dangerous."

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are taking time to review the judgment carefully and will comment further once we have had the opportunity to consider it in full."

Responding to the ruling, Ms Hutchison, said: "This is a victory for common sense and for every woman who simply wants to feel safe at work.

"Women deserve access to single-sex spaces without fear or intimidation. Forcing us to undress in front of a man was not only degrading but dangerous.

"Today's ruling sends a clear message: the NHS cannot ignore women's rights in the name of ideology. We stood up because we knew this was wrong. No woman should be forced to choose between her job and her safety.

"This ruling is a turning point, and we will keep fighting until every woman in the NHS is guaranteed the dignity and protection she deserves."