Boris Johnson has said he doesn’t think biological men should be competing in female sporting events as the trans debate rages on.
He said: “I don't think that it's reasonable for kids to be deemed so-called Gillick-competent to take decisions about their gender or irreversible treatments that they may have. I think there should be parental involvement at the very least."
Speaking at the New Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, he added: “I don't think that biological men should be competing in female sporting events.
“We will have a ban on gay conversion therapy, which to me is utterly abhorrent.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Frank Augstein
“But there are complexities and sensitivities when you move from the area of sexuality to the question of gender. There, I'm afraid, there are things that I think still need to be worked out.”
Mr Johnson continued by saying that women should have spaces "dedicated to women" in hospitals, prisons and changing rooms.
He said: "That's as far as my thinking has developed on this issue. If that puts me in conflict with some others, then we have got to work it all out.
Trans swimmer Lia Thomas sparked the trans debate last month
Brett Davis
"That doesn't mean that I'm not immensely sympathetic to people who want to change gender, to transition.
"It's vital that we give people the maximum possible love and support in making those decisions.
"But these are complex issues and I don't think they can be solved with one swift, easy piece of legislation. It takes a lot of thought to get this right."
The trans debate was sparked by Lia Thomas after they became the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming title last month.
While trans cyclist Emily Bridges said they have been “harassed and demonised” after being banned from competing in the women’s National Omnium Championships last weekend following a ruling by cycling’s world governing body.
The 21-year-old was due to race alongside the likes of Olympic champion Laura Kenny in the event, which would’ve been their first female tournament after undergoing hormone therapy that lowered their testosterone levels.