Latest news with #RichardQuigley
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Island MPs share concern over Assisted Dying Bill after House of Commons vote
THE Isle of Wight MPs have expressed concern over the passing of the Assisted Dying Bill. The bill, which was backed by a majority of MPs, allows terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of less than six months to end their lives. Despite warnings from opponents about the safety of the legislation, the bill took another step in the parliamentary process after being approved by 314 votes to 291 in the House of Commons yesterday (Friday). Labour's Isle of Wight West MP, Richard Quigley, consistently voted against the bill at every stage. Read more: Following the news of its passing, Richard said: "This bill was always going to be emotional, but it was never about winning or losing, but having the chance to debate. "We have done that and the bill has now passed. "My opposition is based on the belief the safeguards, particularly around the so-called 'anorexia loophole,' are not robust or comprehensive enough." He urged the House of Lords to apply "rigorous scrutiny" to the bill as it progresses. Richard stressed the importance of examining every aspect of its implementation, paying close attention to the risks and unresolved unintended consequences. The Isle of Wight East MP, Joe Robertson, also voted against the bill. He shared his concerns, saying: "I voted against the Assisted Dying Bill — not because I am against the principle of wanting to relieve suffering, but because there are too many loopholes, too few safeguards and potential for unintended consequences." Joe, with great experience in the legal profession, criticised amendments made to the bill since the last vote — particularly the replacement of a role for a High Court judge with a 'panel' of professionals, with no power to summon witnesses. He said: "It means judges can decide whether a child has been coerced into wanting to spend time with only one parent (in divorce proceedings), but not whether a grandparent has been coerced into wanting to end their life (under assisted dying laws). "As a former family lawyer, I find this both perverse and dangerous." The concerns raised by both MPs reflect the apprehensions of a significant number of opponents who believe the bill was rushed through without adequate consideration of the potential risks. The bill will now move to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
More than 250 eating disorder survivors urge rejection of assisted dying bill
More than 250 people with eating disorders have signed a letter to MPs, warning that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill could be used by people with anorexia to end their lives. Campaigners argue that anorexia, while primarily a mental health condition, can lead to lethal physical symptoms, making it difficult to exclude from the assisted dying legislation. The term 'terminal anorexia' has raised concerns, with some medical experts suggesting those diagnosed with this condition should have access to medical aid in dying. Labour MP Richard Quigley, whose child has anorexia, expressed concerns that mental health care in the UK is inadequate to ensure the safe application of the assisted dying legislation. Labour MP Naz Shah is tabling amendments to exclude individuals who have voluntarily stopped eating or are taking action to bring about a terminal illness.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Badenoch accused of wearing transphobia as ‘badge of honour' by Labour MP
Kemi Badenoch appears to wear transphobia as a 'badge of honour', a Labour MP has told Parliament. Richard Quigley, the MP for Isle of Wight West, hit out at politicians who 'scapegoat' vulnerable people, during a Westminster Hall debate on Monday. A spokesman for the Conservative leader said she has 'always defended the rights of trans people' and accused Mr Quigley of twisting Mrs Badenoch's words. As MPs discussed a petition calling for the ability of trans people to self-identify their legal gender, Mr Quigley said: 'It is disheartening to see figures, including the Leader of the Opposition, appear to wear their transphobia almost as a badge of honour. 'In this House we must not forget that our words matter and we can really impact the most vulnerable. I came into politics, and I believe many of us did, to champion minorities and give a voice to the voiceless. 'It is vital that we remember the power we hold, to raise the tone of debate rather than to lower it, to support the vulnerable, not scapegoat them.' He added: 'What concerns me further is the growing narrative that improving trans rights somehow threatens the rights or dignity of women and girls. 'And I am not going to deny that in places such as the prison service there have been troubling examples of individuals playing the system to gain access to women's spaces. We must acknowledge and address these concerns seriously. 'But when I hear some from the Opposition declare themselves – well, if they were here – champions of women's rights, I find myself asking, where are they, well, now? Where have they been for the last 15 years? 'When violence against women and girls skyrocketed, where was the legislation? When women's shelters were chronically underfunded, where was the outrage? When domestic abuse cases surged, whilst court access diminished, where was the action? 'When male perpetrators played the legal system to harass their victims, where was the advocacy? I do not raise these points just to score political points, but rather to prompt reflection. 'If your defence of women's rights only surfaces in opposition to trans rights, then I question whether it is truly about supporting women, or simply targeting trans people under that guise.' Intervening, Labour former minister Dame Meg Hillier said: 'So many people have been in touch with me, very frightened now, because of this Supreme Court ruling. 'Doesn't he agree, as he said, we need to speak well here, but the Government needs to make sure that that interim guidance is fast firmed up into proper guidance? Because the interim guidance is causing confusion and fear amongst so many people.' Mr Quigley said he agreed 'entirely' with the MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, adding: 'Words matter.' A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch said: 'Kemi has always defended the rights of trans people, but she has been clear that those rights cannot come at the expense of women and girls. 'This issue has consistently been exploited by people, like Richard Quigley, who seek to misrepresent the law and twist Kemi's words for their own political gain. 'The Supreme Court judgment has now made the law abundantly clear, and it is what Kemi has argued throughout her political career – that sex is biological.' Later in the debate, Dame Meg said the Government 'may need to step in to resolve' the issues caused by the Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman. 'The Equality Act itself was well written in order to deal with intersectional issues when they arose, the guidance around it was very clear and this ruling has muddied that,' she said. Intervening earlier in the debate, Labour MP Will Stone said 'we should be doing our utmost to protect the trans community and ensure they have the same rights as everyone else and that they can live in dignity'. The Swindon North MP added: 'What we say in this House matters, it ripples across communities, and regardless of what side you sit on or where you are in the argument, at the centre of that argument are people.' Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam Olivia Blake said the uncertainty on the issue risked 'undermining' gender recognition certificates (GRC). Ms Blake said: 'I'm pleased that Labour committed to making the GRC process simpler in our manifesto, but the recent judgment is very concerning and it risks undermining the existence of these certificates in themselves if we're not careful, and if the guidance goes the wrong way.' Conservative shadow equalities minister Mims Davies said: 'Every individual should live a life of dignity and be free as to how to live their lives and be safe to do so, and safety has been very much raised today, and rightly should be supported in that. We are a party that is inclusive and focused on equality, and will always stand up for the rights of women and girls too.' However, she added: 'I believe we must ensure that we work for a future where women do not have to fight for their rights every time and nobody has to keep fighting for all of their rights every time.' Home Office minister Seema Malhotra said accounts of hate crime and transphobia were 'a concern to us all'. Ms Malhotra said the Government remained committed to both delivering a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy, and the Cass report. However, she said Labour did not believe in self identification. She said: 'We understand these issues must be navigated sensitively. The Government's position embodies a belief that it is both possible and essential to uphold protections for trans individuals whilst respecting women's concerns around privacy, safety and dignity.'
Western Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Badenoch accused of wearing transphobia as ‘badge of honour' by Labour MP
Richard Quigley, the MP for Isle of Wight West, hit out at politicians who 'scapegoat' vulnerable people, during a Westminster Hall debate on Monday. A spokesman for the Conservative leader said she has 'always defended the rights of trans people' and accused Mr Quigley of twisting Mrs Badenoch's words. As MPs discussed a petition calling for the ability of trans people to self-identify their legal gender, Mr Quigley said: 'It is disheartening to see figures, including the Leader of the Opposition, appear to wear their transphobia almost as a badge of honour. 'In this House we must not forget that our words matter and we can really impact the most vulnerable. I came into politics, and I believe many of us did, to champion minorities and give a voice to the voiceless. 'It is vital that we remember the power we hold, to raise the tone of debate rather than to lower it, to support the vulnerable, not scapegoat them.' He added: 'What concerns me further is the growing narrative that improving trans rights somehow threatens the rights or dignity of women and girls. 'And I am not going to deny that in places such as the prison service there have been troubling examples of individuals playing the system to gain access to women's spaces. We must acknowledge and address these concerns seriously. 'But when I hear some from the Opposition declare themselves – well, if they were here – champions of women's rights, I find myself asking, where are they, well, now? Where have they been for the last 15 years? 'When violence against women and girls skyrocketed, where was the legislation? When women's shelters were chronically underfunded, where was the outrage? When domestic abuse cases surged, whilst court access diminished, where was the action? 'When male perpetrators played the legal system to harass their victims, where was the advocacy? I do not raise these points just to score political points, but rather to prompt reflection. 'If your defence of women's rights only surfaces in opposition to trans rights, then I question whether it is truly about supporting women, or simply targeting trans people under that guise.' Intervening, Labour former minister Dame Meg Hillier said: 'So many people have been in touch with me, very frightened now, because of this Supreme Court ruling. 'Doesn't he agree, as he said, we need to speak well here, but the Government needs to make sure that that interim guidance is fast firmed up into proper guidance? Because the interim guidance is causing confusion and fear amongst so many people.' Mr Quigley said he agreed 'entirely' with the MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, adding: 'Words matter.' A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch said: 'Kemi has always defended the rights of trans people, but she has been clear that those rights cannot come at the expense of women and girls. 'This issue has consistently been exploited by people, like Richard Quigley, who seek to misrepresent the law and twist Kemi's words for their own political gain. 'The Supreme Court judgment has now made the law abundantly clear, and it is what Kemi has argued throughout her political career – that sex is biological.' Later in the debate, Dame Meg said the Government 'may need to step in to resolve' the issues caused by the Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman. 'The Equality Act itself was well written in order to deal with intersectional issues when they arose, the guidance around it was very clear and this ruling has muddied that,' she said. Intervening earlier in the debate, Labour MP Will Stone said 'we should be doing our utmost to protect the trans community and ensure they have the same rights as everyone else and that they can live in dignity'. The Swindon North MP added: 'What we say in this House matters, it ripples across communities, and regardless of what side you sit on or where you are in the argument, at the centre of that argument are people.' Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam Olivia Blake said the uncertainty on the issue risked 'undermining' gender recognition certificates (GRC). Ms Blake said: 'I'm pleased that Labour committed to making the GRC process simpler in our manifesto, but the recent judgment is very concerning and it risks undermining the existence of these certificates in themselves if we're not careful, and if the guidance goes the wrong way.' Conservative shadow equalities minister Mims Davies said: 'Every individual should live a life of dignity and be free as to how to live their lives and be safe to do so, and safety has been very much raised today, and rightly should be supported in that. We are a party that is inclusive and focused on equality, and will always stand up for the rights of women and girls too.' However, she added: 'I believe we must ensure that we work for a future where women do not have to fight for their rights every time and nobody has to keep fighting for all of their rights every time.' Home Office minister Seema Malhotra said accounts of hate crime and transphobia were 'a concern to us all'. Ms Malhotra said the Government remained committed to both delivering a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy, and the Cass report. However, she said Labour did not believe in self identification. She said: 'We understand these issues must be navigated sensitively. The Government's position embodies a belief that it is both possible and essential to uphold protections for trans individuals whilst respecting women's concerns around privacy, safety and dignity.'
North Wales Chronicle
19-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Badenoch accused of wearing transphobia as ‘badge of honour' by Labour MP
Richard Quigley, the MP for Isle of Wight West, hit out at politicians who 'scapegoat' vulnerable people, during a Westminster Hall debate on Monday. A spokesman for the Conservative leader said she has 'always defended the rights of trans people' and accused Mr Quigley of twisting Mrs Badenoch's words. As MPs discussed a petition calling for the ability of trans people to self-identify their legal gender, Mr Quigley said: 'It is disheartening to see figures, including the Leader of the Opposition, appear to wear their transphobia almost as a badge of honour. 'In this House we must not forget that our words matter and we can really impact the most vulnerable. I came into politics, and I believe many of us did, to champion minorities and give a voice to the voiceless. 'It is vital that we remember the power we hold, to raise the tone of debate rather than to lower it, to support the vulnerable, not scapegoat them.' He added: 'What concerns me further is the growing narrative that improving trans rights somehow threatens the rights or dignity of women and girls. 'And I am not going to deny that in places such as the prison service there have been troubling examples of individuals playing the system to gain access to women's spaces. We must acknowledge and address these concerns seriously. 'But when I hear some from the Opposition declare themselves – well, if they were here – champions of women's rights, I find myself asking, where are they, well, now? Where have they been for the last 15 years? 'When violence against women and girls skyrocketed, where was the legislation? When women's shelters were chronically underfunded, where was the outrage? When domestic abuse cases surged, whilst court access diminished, where was the action? 'When male perpetrators played the legal system to harass their victims, where was the advocacy? I do not raise these points just to score political points, but rather to prompt reflection. 'If your defence of women's rights only surfaces in opposition to trans rights, then I question whether it is truly about supporting women, or simply targeting trans people under that guise.' Intervening, Labour former minister Dame Meg Hillier said: 'So many people have been in touch with me, very frightened now, because of this Supreme Court ruling. 'Doesn't he agree, as he said, we need to speak well here, but the Government needs to make sure that that interim guidance is fast firmed up into proper guidance? Because the interim guidance is causing confusion and fear amongst so many people.' Mr Quigley said he agreed 'entirely' with the MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, adding: 'Words matter.' A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch said: 'Kemi has always defended the rights of trans people, but she has been clear that those rights cannot come at the expense of women and girls. 'This issue has consistently been exploited by people, like Richard Quigley, who seek to misrepresent the law and twist Kemi's words for their own political gain. 'The Supreme Court judgment has now made the law abundantly clear, and it is what Kemi has argued throughout her political career – that sex is biological.' Later in the debate, Dame Meg said the Government 'may need to step in to resolve' the issues caused by the Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman. 'The Equality Act itself was well written in order to deal with intersectional issues when they arose, the guidance around it was very clear and this ruling has muddied that,' she said. Intervening earlier in the debate, Labour MP Will Stone said 'we should be doing our utmost to protect the trans community and ensure they have the same rights as everyone else and that they can live in dignity'. The Swindon North MP added: 'What we say in this House matters, it ripples across communities, and regardless of what side you sit on or where you are in the argument, at the centre of that argument are people.' Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam Olivia Blake said the uncertainty on the issue risked 'undermining' gender recognition certificates (GRC). Ms Blake said: 'I'm pleased that Labour committed to making the GRC process simpler in our manifesto, but the recent judgment is very concerning and it risks undermining the existence of these certificates in themselves if we're not careful, and if the guidance goes the wrong way.' Conservative shadow equalities minister Mims Davies said: 'Every individual should live a life of dignity and be free as to how to live their lives and be safe to do so, and safety has been very much raised today, and rightly should be supported in that. We are a party that is inclusive and focused on equality, and will always stand up for the rights of women and girls too.' However, she added: 'I believe we must ensure that we work for a future where women do not have to fight for their rights every time and nobody has to keep fighting for all of their rights every time.' Home Office minister Seema Malhotra said accounts of hate crime and transphobia were 'a concern to us all'. Ms Malhotra said the Government remained committed to both delivering a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy, and the Cass report. However, she said Labour did not believe in self identification. She said: 'We understand these issues must be navigated sensitively. The Government's position embodies a belief that it is both possible and essential to uphold protections for trans individuals whilst respecting women's concerns around privacy, safety and dignity.'
