Just a month after three members of the governments LGBT advisement panel quit, the entire panel is set to be disbanded. A government spokesperson has said that a replacement for the panel would be set up in due course.
Less than a month ago, Equalities minister Liz Truss, chaired a meeting of SMEs urging business leaders to do more to protect their LGBT Staff from bullying and harassment within the workplace. Liz Truss said ‘“We want everyone to be able to seize opportunities in the workplace without fear of discrimination or harassment.
“There is clearly positive work being done by SMEs and self-employed business leaders to champion LGBT equality in the workplace and I want to ensure everyone can benefit from this.
“As we build back better it is vital that everyone is able to contribute. Today’s event will help to ensure more businesses can share best practice and offer an environment where people can thrive.”
The panel had been beset by problems after three members had quit in quick succession. The last to quit was Ellen Murray, the executive director of TransgenderNI, accusing ministers of acting “in appalling faith”.
After she left the role she tweeted: “There’s precious little patience I have left for the government at this point, but with what remains: get your act together. Use the panel for what it was intended and actually prohibit conversion therapy. Stop deporting LGBT refugees. Drop the trans culture war.”
The row around the panel has been exacerbated by the government seemingly dragging their feet to ban conversion therapy, initially promised more than three years ago. A government spokesperson said that ''The LGBT Advisory Panel was created under the previous administration and the term of all panel members ended on 31 March.
"The Minister for Women & Equalities has written to panel members to thank them for their contributions, and plans for a replacement for the Panel will be set out in due course’’
