Green Party's Pallavi Devulapalli suspended over trans comments

Pallavi Devulapalli, a doctor who recently ran to become the MP for South West Norfolk, has been told by party officials that the remarks - made in an event at Downham Methodist Church in June - mean she may "prove a risk".

She has reacted furiously to the sanction, saying she has not been given the chance to defend herself.

Independent James Bagge, Green Party Pallavi Devulapalli and Liberal Democrat Josie Ratcliffe at the hustings event in Downham Market (Image: James Bagge)

Dr Devulapalli, who was the party's national spokeswoman for health, social care and public health until her suspension, has stood by the comments, in which she expressed her support for sex-based rights and questioned whether the debate over trans issues was being promoted "mischievously".

The row is the latest to expose ongoing divisions over trans rights in the party, which is currently holding its autumn conference in Manchester.

The Greens' official position is that trans women are women and trans men are men, and the party supports making it easier to change legal sex via self-determination.

However, there are long-running tensions with members who hold so-called gender-critical beliefs, who are concerned about the implications for women's rights and do not believe a person's sex can be changed.

THE 'MISCHIEVOUS' COMMENTS IN QUESTION

The West Norfolk councillor has been temporarily suspended from the Greens for a statement she made at a Downham Market hustings event in June during the election campaign, at which she said "sex-based" rights needed to be defended.

At the event, candidates were asked by Revd Paul Critchley - who chaired the meeting - what they would do to help the trans community feel safe amid an "enormous increase" in hate crimes.

It prompted a discussion from panel members about trans issues and the implications for women's rights.

In response, Dr Devulapalli said: "I've yet to meet anyone who actually... says that somebody shouldn't have the right to be addressed as they please, to dress as they please... I think there's something mischievous in the air to make out this to be an issue when really I've yet to meet anyone."

She went on to say "sex-based rights are important" and stressed the need to maintain distinction between gender and sex.

She also spoke out in support of the Cass review - an independent report which recommended halting the prescription of sex hormones to young patients with gender dysphoria.

"Biology is a real thing, it's not a belief to say the female sex is different from the male sex," she said.

"There is nothing wrong with accepting some people fall between the two but they are very few and far between.

"[The Cass review] was a thorough study that showed how toxic the atmosphere had become to the extent healthcare professionals had become terrorised into not being able to speak freely and give young people the care they deserve - the holistic care...mental health needs... neurodivergent needs.

"We need to 100pc follow that review. As a society, let's move forward in a united way."

The hustings event was held in Downham Maerket in June (Image: JR Light and Sound)

COMPLAINT ARRIVES... A MONTH LATER

A complaint was later made in July about her comments, with the individual - who has not been named - arguing Dr Devulapalli had failed to respond in line with the Green Party's policies and had violated its code of conduct.

Dr Devulapalli did not state which side of the debate she considered "mischievous", but the complainant interpreted it as an attack on LGBTQ activists.

The complainant said: "Ms Devulapalli is calling members of the LGBTQ+ community mischievous and implying all that is happening with trans people is that they are choosing how to be addressed and to dress.

"I am concerned... she has failed to take seriously a question about hate crime against the LGBTQ community."

The complainant highlighted the Green Party's policy on transgender rights: "The policy of the party is clear that trans men are men, trans women are women and that non-binary identities exist and are valid."

Dr Pallavi Devulapalli is the Green Party spokeswoman for health (Image: Pallavi Devulapalli)

'MISUSE OF MECHANISM'

Ms Devulapalli's treatment by the party has left her "angered and saddened."

"At no point did anyone contact me to ask me to clarify my remarks at the hustings, before issuing this ‘temporary no-fault suspension’.

"A no-fault suspension should be reserved for matters requiring urgent action that cannot wait for an investigation to be conducted, to prevent harm to the party.

"It is ironic as I have been speaking about the misuse of this mechanism within the party in the last few weeks and they then misuse it on me.

"The hustings happened in June and the complaint was received in July - why is there such urgency or need for a non-fault suspension?"

Dr Pallavi Devulapalli is the Green Party spokeswoman for health (Image: Archant)

Dr Devulapalli says she has received messages of support following her suspension.

She said she was unsure what it meant for her position as a Green Party councillor for Airfield ward, in Dowhnam Market, and whether or not she must now sit as an independent.

TRICKY ISSUE FOR GREENS

Gender politics has become a thorny issue for the Greens.

In February this year, a court upheld ex-deputy leader Shahrar Ali's discrimination claim after he was sacked in 2022.

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Green party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay. (Image: Ian West/PA Wire)

A judge found Mr Ali was incorrectly removed as a spokesman over his views on transgender rights.

He is critical of the Green Party's pofficial stance on gender issues, including the backing for self-identification and the principle that 'trans women are women'.

He won his case largely on procedural failures rather than parties not being allowed to sack people because their views contravene policy.

It has caused division in the party and prompted it to cut official ties with Green Party Women (GPW) - one of the largest member groups. 

Sian Berry, MP for North Herefordshire (Image: PA)

Former co-leader Sian Berry, who quit her position in 2021 due to the hiring of Mr Ali, has recently said transphobia "is an ongoing issue within the party".