Labour's Endorsement of EHRC Chair Raises Serious Concerns

We have serious concerns about the endorsement from the government of Dr. Mary-Ann Stephenson to lead the EHRC.

Yesterday, the government announced its endorsement of Dr. Mary-Ann Stephenson as the next chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). While the EHRC is meant to function as an independent body, its chair is appointed by the Minister for Women and Equalities – a politicised arrangement that fundamentally undermines the Commission’s supposed impartiality. 

Pride in Labour is alarmed by both the appointment process and the endorsement itself given that Dr. Stephenson has previously aligned herself with gender-critical ideologies – a position that raises serious doubt about her ability and commitment to protect the rights of trans people. This is not a neutral appointment. It is part of a broader pattern of interference in institutions meant to safeguard human rights.

The EHRC is also under intense scrutiny for its mishandling of its recent consultation and repeated allegations of transphobia. Rather than rebuilding trust and credibility, this appointment risks entrenching bias and further alienating the very communities the EHRC is meant to serve.

At a time when the Labour government is actively distancing itself from trans liberation and pandering to transphobic narratives, appointments like this one cannot be viewed in isolation. They are part of a political strategy to redefine “equality” in narrow, exclusionary terms.

Leadership of the EHRC should go to someone with an unambiguous record of defending human rights for all marginalised communities – not someone who has sided with movements seeking to undermine them. Anyone appointed to such a role must demonstrate a clear, public commitment to the rights of all groups. Dr. Stephenson does not meet that standard.

Pride in Labour encourages people who share our concerns about this appointment to address them directly to the Women and Equalities Committee.

You can do this by emailing womeqcom@parliament.uk. Additionally, if you are a constituent of any of the Members of Parliament who sit on the Committee, we would recommend writing to them to express your concerns as a constituent.

Members on the Committee include Sarah Owen (Labour), Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat), David Burton-Sampson (Labour), Rosie Duffield (Independent), Kirith Entwistle (Labour), Natalie Fleet (Labour), Catherine Fookes (Labour), Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat), Samantha Niblett (Labour), Rebecca Paul (Conservative) and Rachel Taylor (Labour).