Someone identifying as llama could be put in straitjacket, Reform UK MP suggests
Lee Anderson questioned if someone identifying as a llama, who then becomes ill, should ask for a ‘doctor, a vet or a straitjacket’.
Someone who identifies as a llama should be put in a “straitjacket”, a Reform UK MP has suggested.
It follows comments by newly appointed health minister Ashley Dalton in 2016, where she signalled her support for gender self-identification
In the Commons, Lee Anderson questioned if someone identifying as a llama, who then becomes ill, should ask for a “doctor, a vet or a straitjacket”.
During health questions, the Ashfield MP said: “The new health minster has stated that it’s OK for a human being to present as a llama.
“So what I want to know is if I have a family member, who presents as a llama, suddenly becomes ill in the middle of the night, do they send for a doctor, a vet or a straitjacket?”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting replied: “(Ms Dalton), the minister for public health, believes in treating every human being with the dignity and respect they deserve. Even the honourable gentleman.”
In a Twitter exchange before she became an MP, Ms Dalton was asked if people should take someone seriously were they to identify as a llama.
In the now-deleted post, Ms Dalton replied suggesting they should do so with “dignity and respect”. She also said “we shouldn’t have gendered bathrooms at all”.
Downing Street sought to distance Sir Keir Starmer from the past remarks of the new minister.
“I can’t speak to comments made by people prior to being in Government,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said, when asked about the social media posts.
Asked if Ms Dalton’s position on single-sex toilets reflected Government policy, the spokesman replied: “No, the position remains clear. The PM has been clear before that single-sex spaces will and should be protected.”
Ms Dalton has replaced Andrew Gwynne, who left the Government when derogatory remarks he made in a WhatsApp group came to light.
No 10 said Sir Keir makes all ministerial appointments “based on merit” and suggested Ms Dalton had demonstrated relevant experience and skills needed to take on the role of health minister.
Elsewhere in the Commons, Independent MP Rosie Duffield (Canterbury) said: “Does the minister believe that the NHS should expect biologically female nursing staff to get changed in front of their biologically male colleagues, if they identify as being female?”
Health minister Karin Smyth replied: “No.”
