TODAY: @ONS must defend its decision to redefine the meaning of sex in the #Census2021 in the high court.
Follow #FPFWvONS for live twitter updates throughout the day. Proceedings start 10am Tuesday 9th March /1
Follow #FPFWvONS for live twitter updates throughout the day. Proceedings start 10am Tuesday 9th March /1
This legal challenge is necessary because @ONS published unlawful Guidance to accompany the question "What is your sex?" on the #Census2021.
The ONS expanded the definition of sex to include self-declared gender identity. This means accurate data on birth sex gets lost /2
The ONS expanded the definition of sex to include self-declared gender identity. This means accurate data on birth sex gets lost /2
The Guidance was published on 12th February. Just 10 days before @ONS was due to start accepting census returns and just 5 weeks before Census Day on 21st March 2021.
We started legal proceedings within 7 days and just 27 days after publication @ONS are in the high court /3
We started legal proceedings within 7 days and just 27 days after publication @ONS are in the high court /3
This swift legal action was made possible by publicly crowdfunding over £100,000 in 2 weeks.
3259 ordinary women and men donated to ensure @ONS get held to account /4
3259 ordinary women and men donated to ensure @ONS get held to account /4
We obtained legal opinion from barrister Tom Cross confirming ONS had acted unlawfully.
To bring the case at speed he has been assisted by barrister Naomi Cunningham of @legalfeminist.
Lead counsel in court will be top QC Jason Coppel.
Our legal team has been outstanding /5
To bring the case at speed he has been assisted by barrister Naomi Cunningham of @legalfeminist.
Lead counsel in court will be top QC Jason Coppel.
Our legal team has been outstanding /5
The Fair Play For Women team has benefitted from the detailed knowledge & experience of the team at @mbmpolicy
Expert witness statements have been provided by @ProfAliceS who first raised concerns in Dec 2019 with 80 top social scientists & has held ONS to account ever since /6
Expert witness statements have been provided by @ProfAliceS who first raised concerns in Dec 2019 with 80 top social scientists & has held ONS to account ever since /6
Thanks also go to Colin Mills @OxSoc, Amanda Gosling @AmandaGosling3 and Michael Biggs for expert input /7
Our legal argument is simple. Census legislation does not grant @ONS the power to redefine 'sex' as it sees fit.
It is obligated to collect sex data on behalf of the state from every citizen in England and Wales. The definition of sex is a matter of law, not a matter for ONS /8
It is obligated to collect sex data on behalf of the state from every citizen in England and Wales. The definition of sex is a matter of law, not a matter for ONS /8
Today they must defend their unlawful policy decision in the high court
We seek permission to proceed to full judicial review to obtain a declaration of unlawfulness. We also seek an emergency order from court to force ONS to immediately remove their Guidance pending that JR /9
We seek permission to proceed to full judicial review to obtain a declaration of unlawfulness. We also seek an emergency order from court to force ONS to immediately remove their Guidance pending that JR /9
Win or lose we have secured a victory day. Against the odds and under immense time pressure we have succeeded in getting this issue heard in court before Census Day.
ONS will be held to account today. They ignored women and data experts but they cannot ignore the court /10
ONS will be held to account today. They ignored women and data experts but they cannot ignore the court /10
Today is a warning to all public bodies. Your policy decisions must work for women & girls. Your policy development work must show due regard to the protected characteristic of sex. Policy capture will damage your reputation. Sex matters /11
#stopsexselfID
#handsOffOurRights
#stopsexselfID
#handsOffOurRights
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