Labour braced for trans row

Conference to debate gender language

- PAUL HUTCHEON

SCOTS Labour leader Anas Sarwar is braced for a divisive culture war row at his party conference over trans and women's rights.

Activists have urged the party to follow the lead of Sir Keir Starmer who said women are "adult females" - a phrase offensive to the trans community.

Scottish and UK Labour have taken different positions on Holyrood legislation that would have made it easier for trans people to change gender. Sarwar and most of his MSPs backed a gender recognition reform Bill later sunk in the courts.

Starmer was more cautious and cited concerns about the proposals.

The split reflects wider divisions in the party and society, with sceptics believing gender "self-ID" is a threat to women's rights.