GB News erupts into tense trans row as presenter rages 'You're playing silly now!'

GB News presenter Ben Leo confronted former Labour spokesman James Matthewson in a heated debate about transgender rights and access to single-sex spaces. The discussion intensified over the question of whether trans women should be regarded as biological men. Leo stood firm on his use of scientific facts, while Matthewson contested what he deemed a fundamental misunderstanding of transgender issues.

Tensions mounted as they tackled the topic of bathroom access for transgender individuals and some people's perceived threat to women's spaces. Leo boldly declared, "Women do not want biological men in their spaces," while Matthewson firmly rebutted, stating, "Trans people are not confused." The dialogue became even more tense when addressing the issue of bathroom access for trans men. Matthewson pointedly asked, "Where do you expect trans men to go to the bathroom?"

The debate intensified when Leo asserted that women didn't "want to share a bathroom with a 6ft tall man", as Matthewson claimed being 6ft tall "had nothing to do with anything" and his argument "wasn't making sense".

Leo hit back: "You're playing silly now," as he said men are "generally taller, faster, and bigger" and suggested they can "manhandle women."

This discussion has gained prominence following a landmark ruling by the UK Supreme Court last Wednesday, which defined "woman" and "sex" in the 2010 Equality Act as referring to biological sex rather than legal gender reassignment.

This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if "proportionate".

The group had brought the case For Women Scotland, which claimed that sex-based protections should only apply to people who are born female.

The Scottish government argued in court that transgender people with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) are entitled to the same sex-based protections as biological women.

Trans people will continue to have protections under the Equality Act because gender reassignment is listed as a protected characteristic. The Equality and Human Rights Commission - which oversees the application of the Equality Act - is to issue new guidance to help service providers.