Judge who accused Stonewall of misrepresenting the law is in the running to oversee equalities watchdog
- Akua Reindorf is set to sit on board of Equality and Human Rights Commission
- She accused Stonewall of failing to uphold free speech after University of Essex uninvited two speakers accused of transphobia while following its advice
- Ms Reindorf criticised for suggesting university rethink its ties with the group
A part-time judge who accused Stonewall of misrepresenting the law is in the running to work on the country’s equalities watchdog.
Akua Reindorf, who accused the LGBTQ+ charity of failing to uphold free speech when the University of Essex dropped two speakers accused of transphobia, has been asked to sit on the board of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
She suggested the university rethink its ties with the group and was met with staunch criticism from transgender activists.
Akua Reindorf (pictured), who accused the LGBTQ+ charity of failing to uphold free speech when the University of Essex dropped two speakers accused of transphobia, has been asked to sit on the board of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
But others argue that her being given a place on the board would help to ensure free speech for everyone in the country.
A Whitehall source claimed that Ms Reindorf has a ‘track record of fighting discrimination’, according to The Telegraph.
It is believed that her appointment was given by EHRC commissioner, Foreign Secretary and equalities minister Liz Truss, and will be announced in the next few days.
Ms Reindorf, who is also a barrister, held a review after the University of Essex uninvited two female professors to speak in 2019 and 2020.
She suggested the university rethink its ties with the group and was met with staunch criticism from transgender activists
She found that according to the university’s policy on supporting trans and non-binary staff, a letter about trans issues signed by the professors could ‘amount to or lead to unlawful harassment’, according to The Telegraph.
Ms Reindorf wrote: ‘This policy is founded on an erroneous understanding of the law.
‘The policy is reviewed annually by Stonewall, and its incorrect summary of the law does not appear to have been picked up by them. In my view the policy states the law as Stonewall would prefer it to be, rather than the law as it is.’
Stonewall insisted that its advice was based on guidance by the EHRC which had been reaffirmed by the High Court.
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