Kemi Badenoch has waded into the debate on trans issues, saying her identity as a woman is "very biological".
She said that "being a woman is a much stronger part of my identity than being black or Nigerian", adding: "It is so real. Bringing a child into the world grounds you in the reality of being a woman.
"Puberty, menstruation, menopause. It is very biological. And I grew up in a place where people would exploit that."
In an interview with the Times, she suggested she is scornful of "academic feminism with all its buzzwords".
Kemi Badenoch has waded into the debate on trans issues, saying her identity as a woman is "very biological"
PA
The Business Secretary added: "My feminism is about, ‘I am more vulnerable physically. People will try to exploit that and make me feel less of a person.’ And I will defend myself and anyone else in that position."
The Prime Minister faced criticism this week after making a joke about Sir Keir Starmer's position on trans issues at PMQs - while the mother of Brianna Ghey was sitting in the Commons gallery.
Rishi Sunak accused the Labour leader of U-turning on "defining a woman", joking: "Although in fairness, that was only 99 per cent of a U-turn".
A furious Starmer responded: "Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna [Ghey]'s mother is in this chamber. Shame. Parading as a man of integrity, when he's got absolutely no responsibility."
Brianna Ghey's mother Esther attended PMQs, a year on from the murder of her daughter.
Speaking to broadcasters yesterday, the PM declined to apologise for the comment.
He insisted his comments were “absolutely legitimate” because he was pointing out Sir Keir Starmer’s U-turns.
Asked if he would apologise, he told reporters in Cornwall: “If you look at what I said, I was very clear, talking about Keir Starmer’s proven track record of U-turns on major policies because he doesn’t have a plan.
“A point only proven by today’s reports that the Labour Party and Keir Starmer are apparently planning to reverse on their signature economic green spending policy.
“That just demonstrates the point I was making. He’s someone who has just consistently changed his mind on a whole range of major things.
“I think that is an absolutely legitimate thing to point out and it demonstrates that he doesn’t have a plan for the country.”
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The Prime Minister faced criticism this week after making a joke about Sir Keir Starmer's position on trans issues at PMQs
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Sunak said it was “sad and wrong” to link his comments to Brianna Ghey’s case.
He said: “Like everyone, I was completely shocked by Brianna’s case. To have your child taken from you in such awful circumstances is almost impossible to come to terms with, and for Brianna’s mum to talk with such empathy and compassion about that, I thought, was inspiring and it showed the very best of humanity.
“I’ve nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy for her entire family and friends.
“But to use that tragedy to detract from the very separate and clear point I was making about Keir Starmer’s proven track record of multiple U-turns on major policies because he doesn’t have a plan, I think is both sad and wrong, and it demonstrates the worst of politics.”
