News

Conservatives question Welsh Government’s LGBTQ+ Action Plan

Published

5 months ago

October 23, 2025

Party calls for clarity following Supreme Court ruling on single-sex spaces

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have renewed calls for the Welsh Government’s LGBTQ+ Action Plan to be scrapped, arguing that it conflicts with a recent Supreme Court ruling defining “sex” as biological under the Equality Act 2010.

During Spokesperson’s Questions in the Senedd, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Dr Altaf Hussain MS said the plan “muddies the waters” between sexual orientation and gender identity, and accused ministers of failing to align Welsh policy with UK law.

Dr Hussain said: “The Labour Government’s LGBTQ+ Action Plan, as currently drafted, states that ‘trans women are women’, but the law disagrees.
The Welsh Labour Government is hiding behind EHRC guidance, when what is needed are clear instructions to all public bodies in Wales that single-sex spaces must not be used by the opposite sex.
That is why the Welsh Conservatives are clear: it is time to rip up the LGBTQ+ Action Plan and ensure Welsh policy follows the law as set out by the Supreme Court.”

Legal and policy background

The LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales, first published in February 2023, sets out a framework to improve equality and inclusion in public services, healthcare and education. It pledges to “defend and promote the rights of trans and non-binary people” and aims to make Wales “the most LGBTQ+-friendly nation in Europe.”

However, the Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers (April 2025) ruled that under the Equality Act, “sex” refers to biological sex, not gender identity — meaning that the protected characteristics of “man” and “woman” apply on that basis across England, Scotland and Wales.

In response, the Welsh Government issued a written statement confirming the judgment “makes it clear that the definition of sex … can only be interpreted as referring to biological sex,” but stressed that the decision “does not remove protection from trans people, with or without a Gender Recognition Certificate.”

Reaction and implications

Human rights observers have warned that the ruling could narrow access to certain services for transgender people. The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights recently warned of “a growing risk of exclusion facing transgender people in the UK.”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also said that while the ruling clarifies the law, public bodies must continue to uphold protections for people undergoing or having undergone gender reassignment.

Welsh Government response

In February, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice described the Action Plan as “recognised internationally for the good progress we’ve made.”
She cited a letter from a trans woman in Aberystwyth who wrote: “It’s good that progress is now being made on the LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales. … It’s vital that we maintain momentum and the political will to drive it forward.”

The Government has not announced any intention to withdraw or amend the plan following the Supreme Court judgment. Officials have said an external evaluation of its implementation is ongoing and will continue until 2027.

Key points of contention

Definition of sex – Conservatives argue that the Plan’s assertion that “trans women are women” conflicts with the legal position confirmed by the Supreme Court.
Single-sex spaces – The opposition wants clear guidance to ensure that public bodies in Wales restrict access to single-sex spaces based on biological sex.
Ongoing evaluation – The Welsh Government maintains the plan is under review and continues to guide equality work across the public sector.
Balance of rights – Rights groups warn that, despite legal clarity, interpretation of the ruling could reduce inclusion for trans and non-binary people in Wales.

The Welsh Conservatives have urged ministers to rewrite the Action Plan so that it explicitly reflects the legal definition of sex and provides “unambiguous guidance” to all public bodies.

The Welsh Government has not yet published any formal response to those calls.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

6 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

7 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was heard by Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.