Conservative Party deputy chair for women in row after calling her trans rival ‘a man who wears a wig and calls himself a “proud lesbian”‘

• Melissa Poulton described the comments as ‘transphobic’ and ‘dog-whistling’ 

The Conservative Party deputy chair for women is embroiled in a row after allegedly transphobic comments directed towards her rival.

Melissa Poulton, who is the Green Party candidate for Bromsgrove, has been called ‘a man who wears a wig and calls himself a “proud lesbian”‘ by Redditch MP Rachel Maclean.

Writing on X/Twitter, Ms Maclean added: ‘While the Greens don’t know what a woman is, my Worcestershire neighbours the people of Bromsgrove certainly do.’

Ms Poulton has hit back after the comments, describing the remarks as gaslighting and adding: ‘It’s a shame, without a shadow of a doubt it is a transphobic comment, it’s dog-whistling at the finest.’

Melissa Poulton (pictured) described Ms Maclean’s comments as ‘childish games from a government party who’s going to be out office’

Rachel Maclean deleted the tweet and apologised for her comments but later said she didn’t apologise for criticising the Green Party’s gender policy

The Green candidate was born a biological man before beginning to transition last year.

She described Ms Maclean’s comments as ‘childish games from a government party who’s going to be out office’.

Adding: ‘I’m here for representation as a queer woman, as a woman with transgender experience.

‘I’m sure the people of Redditch will see that they’re attacking someone for who they are.

‘We’ll see what happens at the ballot box.’

Ms Maclean has since deleted the original comment on X and said: “I am sorry for any offence caused and I have now deleted the tweet.

‘I believe everyone should be free to live their lives and fulfil their potential regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity and to have the confidence and the freedom to be themselves.’

However, responding to a GB News clip online, she later clarified: ‘In fact, I did NOT apologise for my comments relating to the Green Party’s extreme policies on gender and self-ID ideology and am happy to come on to your program to explain my position in more detail.

‘As Deputy Chair for Women, I am clear that the law allows me to say.

‘What a woman is and the difference between a woman and a trans woman.

‘Both deserve respect and freedom to live their lives but it is not transphobic to say they are not the same thing.

Ms Poulton has been involved in politics for 10 years and has been in the Green Party since 2020

She previously stood as a candidate in the Worcestershire County and Wyre Forest District council elections

‘Nor does it assist policymakers across healthcare, education, the CJS to pretend they are.’

Ms Poulton has been involved in politics for 10 years and has been in the Green Party since 2020.

She previously stood as a candidate in the Worcestershire County and Wyre Forest District council elections.

Speaking about the aftermath of the online row, she said she has received support from the Bromsgrove Labour Party and Lib Dems.

She added: ‘I’m sure I will get a similar response from the Bromsgrove Conservatives.

‘I know the people who have hate won’t vote for me but I don’t want their votes anyway.

‘A lot of people have said they will be voting for me.’

Leader of The Redditch Labour Group Joe Baker said Ms Maclean’s comments were ‘absolutely vile and hateful’.

She added: ‘The original author of the post’s intentions are promoting a hate crime and should be reported not liked and reposted.

Speaking about the aftermath of the online row, she said she has received support from the Bromsgrove Labour Party and Lib Dems

The Green candidate was born a biological man before beginning to transition last year 

‘People who hold positions of authority should be looking after those they are in a position to serve.

‘I understand that the situation is sensitive and I believe everyone has a right to their opinions but when that opinion promotes hate and harm then this needs to be challenged.

‘Rachel now needs to question her position.’

Green Party co-leader Carla Denye said: ‘This is a deeply offensive intervention from an elected MP, who should be representing everybody in the community, not making these nasty, snide and divisive comments.’

Ms Maclean was elected as MP for Redditch in 2017 and served as minister for safeguarding in the Home Office between 2021 and 2022.

She became a deputy chair of the Conservative Party in November with responsibility for safeguarding and women.

West Mercia Police said the original post on X had been reported but it was not being treated as a crime.

Source: Read Full Article