Liz Truss ‘Fails To Deliver' New LGBT+ Advisory Panel

Equalities minister Liz Truss is facing criticism for failing to set up a new LGBT+ advisory panel, almost nine months after disbanding one she had clashed with over “fundamental disagreements”.

- Ashley Cowburn

Anneliese Dodds, the shadow equalities minister, told The Independent the lack of progress demonstrated “everything you need to know about this government’s commitment to tackling the issues facing LGBT+ people”.

The advisory panel – set up under former prime minister Theresa May’s administration in 2018 – was designed to hold ministers to account over the vow to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain.

But it was disbanded in April 2021 by Ms. Truss after a series of members resigned. One accused government ministers of creating a “hostile environment” for LGBT+ people while others criticized repeated delays over a ban on so-called “conversion therapy”.

Ms. Truss, who still holds the equalities brief alongside her new post as foreign secretary in Boris Johnson’s government, later admitted to MPs there were “fundamental disagreements”, including over the issue of self-identification for trans people.

At the time the panel was disbanded – nine months ago – both No 10 and Ms. Truss pledged to create a “replacement” panel in due course.