This is extraordinary and it needs to be seen.
Jolyon Maugham KC of the Good Law Project has just published a WhatsApp message sent to Wes Streeting on 11 July 2024, days after Labour won the general election.
The message reads: “Promise I won’t make a habit of messaging. But we are going to have to decide today how hard to slide in on your decision to defend Atkins’ regulations. There is a world in which we coordinate and don’t slide in very hard at all, indeed protect you politically. But we can’t do it unless your team coordinates with us.”
Read that carefully.
This was sent in the context of a High Court challenge to the puberty blocker ban. Streeting was being asked whether he would make Victoria Atkins’ temporary ban permanent. According to Maugham, Streeting prevaricated and then announced he would make it permanent the morning the hearing started.
Maugham says he and colleagues who knew Streeting tried on multiple occasions to reach out to him. They were all blanked. Every single one of them.
His conclusion was clear. By refusing to even speak to the Good Law Project on an issue of huge importance to trans people, Streeting was telling them loud and clear that they could have no influence over the government. There was no point even trying to be critical friends to Labour.
Wes Streeting is now on LBC saying he fears the clock being turned back on LGBTQIA+ progress.
The man who made the puberty blocker ban permanent. Who blanked every attempt to discuss trans healthcare with the people challenging it in court. Who ignored WhatsApp messages from one of the country’s leading human rights lawyers.
Now ‘fears’ the clock being turned back.
The record is the record. And now it is public.
@wesstreeting is a transphobic bigot
The Barca goals, the Spurs goal, the way you wouldn't see much of him for a few months and then the derby would come around and he'd suddenly reappear with nothing but total disdain for the institution of Everton Football Club. Just a perfect man ❤️