Labour minister Lisa Nandy has suggested that transgender athletes should be able to compete in some women's sports.
The Culture Secretary said the government does not 'want to shut people out from opportunities to participate' when asked about trans inclusion in sport at the Labour Party conference yesterday.
It follows a monumental Supreme Court ruling in April which found the legal definition of a woman is a 'biological female'.
At the time, the Government said the decision brought 'clarity and confidence for women, and services such as hospitals, refuges, and sports clubs'.
The ruling has had far-reaching implications for sports at all levels, from the elite to the grassroots.
Within weeks, the Football Association published a statement stating that trans women would no longer be able to play in women's football in England before England Netball and the England and Wales Cricket Board followed suit.
But Ms Nandy said the issue of trans athletes competing alongside biological women is still not clear cut.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference yesterday, she said: 'The first (priority) is inclusion, the second is fairness, and the third is safety. And there are some sports where it's perfectly possible to include everybody and still meet those principles around fairness and safety.'
When asked by the Telegraph if April's judgement could cause a problem for trans inclusion, she said: 'The sporting bodies are currently looking at the Supreme Court ruling and what it means for sport and it's obviously their choice as to how to manage that.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy suggested at yesterday's Labour Party conference that trans athletes should be able to compete against women in some sports
'But obviously, as a Government, we're keen to support them to take a sensible and proportionate approach to observe the law, but make sure that we don't shut people out from opportunities to participate in sport.'
She added that the Government wanted to be as 'inclusive as possible' and described the issue as complicated because of 'physical differences and others'.
Her words have sparked backlash from women's rights campaigners, who say there is 'nothing complicated' now about the issue of trans athletes.
Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at sex-based rights charity Sex Matters, said: 'The Secretary of State should be demanding that all sports comply with the law and keep everyone male out of their female categories.
'There is nothing complicated about this. Categories are how sports ensure there's a place for everyone.
'Most sports have separate categories for female and male players because of male advantage, which is present throughout childhood and gets a huge boost at puberty.'
McAnena added: 'The first priority in sport is safety. Next comes fairness.
'The Sports Councils guidance says that letting trans-identifying men into women's sport is neither safe nor fair for women and girls.
Ms Nandy has previously faced backlash for suggesting that violent male offenders should have the right to serve their sentences in women's prisons if they transition to the opposite gender
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'There is no middle ground. If a sport is 'gender-affected' - that is, if male development confers an advantage - the only way to be truly inclusive of women and girls is to keep everyone male out of the female category.
'The Supreme Court confirmed that doing so is lawful under the Equality Act.
'Women have waited too long for fairness in sport. It's disappointing to see the Secretary of State failing to take a lead on this.'
Lisa Nandy previously caused controversy in July earlier this year when she dropped the previous government's insistence that sporting bodies must protect women's sports by banning trans competitors.
The Culture Secretary said then that Labour would leave the issue to sports' governing bodies - despite warnings that many had been accused of pandering to trans campaigners.
The Women's Rights Network said at the time that it was 'scandalous' that biological males were still allowed to compete in areas like grassroots football, adding: 'Sports are failing to protect the rights of women and girls.
'Sport needs strong leadership from the new sports minister. It needs a sports minister willing to stand up and say 'enough is enough'. Women and girls need fair, safe and equal sport.'
Ms Nandy also faced criticism back in 2020 for suggesting that violent male offenders should have the right to serve their sentences in women's prisons if they transition to the opposite gender.