Police eject Kellie-Jay Keen and Let Women Speak activists from International Women’s Day event in Nottingham after single-sex space questions

An event meant to celebrate women took an unexpected turn in Nottingham when gender rights campaigners were asked to leave after questioning attendees about female-only spaces.

The incident happened during an International Women’s Day gathering held at Albert Hall.

Members of the advocacy group Let Women Speak were reportedly escorted out by police after some attendees complained that the questions being asked made them feel uncomfortable.

The confrontation quickly gained attention online after videos of the interaction circulated across social media.

Activist Kellie-Jay Keen Confronts Police

At the center of the incident was campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen, a prominent activist who has been involved in debates about women’s rights and gender identity issues in the UK.

Footage from the scene shows two police officers approaching Keen and several members of her group during the event.

In the video, an officer tells her she must “leave the building immediately” after authorities received reports that the questions posed by the group had caused “alarm and distress” among participants.

Keen questioned the officers during the exchange, asking whether they actually knew what the questions were that had triggered complaints.

The Questions That Sparked the Dispute

According to Keen, the group was simply asking women working in the sector whether their organizations provide single-sex spaces specifically for women.

She insisted the conversations were calm and respectful, saying that every participant was asked for permission before being filmed or interviewed.

Keen argued that the discussions were polite exchanges rather than confrontational questioning.

However, police said the decision to remove the activists was made after multiple complaints from members of the public attending the event.

Organizers and Community Groups Involved

The event itself had been organized by the office of the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner and held in partnership with the Nottingham Women’s Centre.

Promotional material for the gathering encouraged community organizations to host stalls and interact with visitors throughout the day.

The goal was to celebrate women’s achievements and showcase services available to women in the region.

During the event, Keen was also seen interviewing Louisa Matthews, the chief executive of Nottingham Women’s Centre.

Exchange With Nottingham Women’s Centre

In one recorded conversation, Keen asked Matthews about the centre’s work in the community and what services it provides.

The discussion then turned toward the issue of single-sex spaces.

Keen questioned how the organization planned to respond to legal considerations around women-only areas.

Matthews responded that the organization would continue to take legal advice and comply with the law while maintaining an inclusive approach.

She also explained that the centre has historically been a trans-inclusive space and that its policies had not changed.

Activists Claim Their Removal Was Unfair

Following the incident, Keen strongly criticized the decision to remove her group from the event.

She argued that since the gathering was organized with involvement from public authorities, including the police and local government, it should not have been treated as a private event where participants could be asked to leave so easily.

Keen also claimed that stallholders at the event were there specifically to engage with members of the public, which she said made the removal of her group even more questionable.

Video Clips Spark Online Debate

Videos of the encounter were later posted online and quickly gathered tens of thousands of views, fueling heated debate across social media platforms.

The clips show the exchange between activists and police officers as the group is instructed to leave the venue.

Among those reacting publicly was British actor and comedian John Cleese, who commented on the footage and criticized how the situation appeared to have been handled.

The Wider Debate Around Single-Sex Spaces

The dispute reflects a broader national conversation taking place across the United Kingdom about gender identity and women-only spaces.

Questions about how organizations balance inclusivity with single-sex protections have become increasingly prominent in legal, political, and social discussions.

Advocacy groups on different sides of the debate often clash over how policies should be interpreted and implemented.

Events such as the one in Nottingham show how sensitive the topic remains, even in spaces intended to celebrate women.

Impact and Consequences

The incident has intensified ongoing tensions between gender-critical activists and organizations that promote trans-inclusive policies.

For activists like Keen and the Let Women Speak group, the removal from the event reinforces their concerns about restrictions on discussing women-only spaces.

On the other hand, event organizers and attendees who reported feeling uncomfortable may see the police response as necessary to maintain a safe and respectful environment.

The controversy could also lead to further scrutiny of how public events handle politically sensitive discussions.

What’s Next?

It remains unclear whether any formal complaint or legal challenge will follow the incident.

Activist groups may push for clearer rules around public engagement at publicly organized events.

Meanwhile, local authorities and organizers may review how similar gatherings are managed in the future.

Given the strong reactions online, the debate is likely to continue both in the media and across social platforms.

Summary

A heated moment unfolded during an International Women’s Day event in Nottingham when activists from the Let Women Speak campaign were asked by police to leave after complaints about their questions regarding female-only spaces.

The confrontation, captured on video and shared widely online, has sparked renewed debate about free speech, inclusivity, and the role of public authorities in managing controversial discussions.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Activist Kellie-Jay Keen and members of Let Women Speak were asked to leave an event in Nottingham.

• The incident occurred during an International Women’s Day gathering at Albert Hall.

• Police said the activists’ questions about single-sex spaces caused “alarm and distress” among attendees.

• Keen maintains the conversations were polite and that interviewees consented to being filmed.

• Videos of the encounter circulated widely online and sparked debate, including comments from John Cleese.

• The controversy highlights ongoing national debates about women-only spaces and gender identity policies in the UK.