A newly appointed health minister has found herself at the center of controversy after past social media comments resurfaced, leading to heated exchanges in Parliament.

Rather than distancing himself from the remarks, Health Secretary Wes Streeting chose to defend his colleague, emphasizing respect and dignity for all individuals.

Controversial Statements Resurface

Ashley Dalton, recently appointed as a health minister by Sir Keir Starmer, made waves over comments she posted in 2016 on X (formerly Twitter).

In one of her posts, she suggested that anyone identifying as a llama—South America’s camel-like creature—should be treated with dignity and respect.

The remarks, which gained widespread media attention, were brought up in Parliament by Reform UK MP Lee Anderson.

Anderson sarcastically questioned Streeting, asking if a family member identifying as a llama should seek medical care from a doctor, a veterinarian, or a mental health professional.

Streeting Defends Dalton

Rather than condemning or dismissing Dalton’s past comments, Streeting defended her by stating that she believes in treating every human being with respect.

His response signaled a refusal to engage with Anderson’s mocking tone and instead positioned Labour’s stance as one of inclusion and dignity.

Further Scrutiny on Transgender Views

The controversy didn’t stop at the llama comment.

Further scrutiny of Dalton’s past statements revealed her strong stance on transgender rights.

In a 2016 post, she criticized the term “Dear Sir or Madam,” arguing that it assumes a binary gender structure.

She also stated that society spends too much time fixating on people’s private anatomy and asserted that “trans women are women.”

Dalton further argued in favor of transgender women using female-only restrooms, dismissing fears of safety risks as baseless and offensive.

She compared concerns over transgender women in women’s spaces to assuming all gay men pose a danger to children—a statement that has drawn sharp criticism from women’s rights advocates.

Public Backlash and Concerns

Her past views have raised concerns over Labour’s commitment to protecting single-sex spaces, particularly in the NHS, where she now has a role in overseeing healthcare services.

Critics worry that her position could influence policies regarding women-only hospital wards and other gender-segregated services.

Maya Forstater, CEO of the human rights group Sex Matters, called on Dalton to clarify whether she still holds these views.

Forstater emphasized the importance of acknowledging biological sex differences, particularly in healthcare settings.

Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, an outspoken advocate for maintaining biological distinctions in women’s sports, also weighed in.

She dismissed Dalton’s past suggestion that reproduction might not be important, stating bluntly, “Reproduction is essential to the human race.”

Government Responds to Concerns

With pressure mounting, the Department of Health issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to protecting single-sex spaces, including toilets, changing rooms, and hospital wards.

While the department stopped short of directly addressing Dalton’s past remarks, it sought to reassure the public that existing protections would remain in place.

What’s Next?

As Dalton steps into her new role, all eyes will be on how she handles policies related to gender identity and healthcare.

Will she clarify her stance, or will Labour face continued scrutiny over its approach to sex-based protections?

With the public sharply divided on these issues, this debate is far from over.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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