The Royal College of Psychiatrists has cut ties with Stonewall over concerns about attitudes towards transgender people

The Royal College of Psychiatrists will end its partnership with Stonewall over concerns over the transgender debate.

College chiefs say they will not renew membership of the controversial charity when it expires in December.

It is the latest in a series of organizations to distance themselves from the LGBT charity over concerns about a lack of impartiality.

The Telegraph reported that internal disagreements over the council’s position on transgender issues are behind the split, with leaders recognizing the division in opinion in a highly sensitive area.

Sonia Walter, the university’s chief executive, and Dr Lade Smith, its president, wrote to members in a letter: ‘Stonewall has helped us become a more inclusive organisation. However, we are well aware that there is a risk of being affiliated with an organization that speaks about matters relating to the professional practice of our members, but over which the council has no direct control.

It is the latest in a series of organizations to distance themselves from the LGBT charity over concerns about a lack of impartiality (file image)

The Royal College of Psychiatrists will end its partnership with Stonewall over concerns over the transgender debate

Bosses at the charity Stonewall, which campaigns for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, have been criticized by the trans community (File image)

“The council has reviewed its membership of Stonewall and decided not to renew membership in December.”

Stonewall came under fire earlier this year when it initially criticized the independent Cass inquiry, led by pediatrician Dr Hilary Cass, into transgender care for children.

Her report, which was published in April, took almost four years to produce. This showed that children who were ‘in the middle’ of a toxic argument about treatment are on the path to irreversible change.

She warned that the evidence for the use of puberty blockers and hormones relied heavily on “shaky foundations” and that the associated guidelines were not supported by science.

Fiona McAnena, campaigns director at rights group Sex Matters, said the council’s decision “sends a clear message that it puts evidence and the welfare of patients above the demands of trans activist lobbyists.”

Multiple government departments have cut ties with the charity in recent years as concerns first emerged in 2020 about its value to taxpayers.

Meanwhile, organizations including Sport England, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the BBC and Channel 4 have followed suit by ending their partnership.

Kate Barker, chief executive of the charity and advocacy group LGB Alliance, said: ‘We are pleased that the Royal College of Psychiatrists have done the right thing.

“It has been abundantly clear for years that Stonewall’s leadership is deeply flawed and represents the law as Stonewall wants it to be, rather than as it is.

‘We are encouraged that professional organizations are increasingly finding the confidence to withdraw from these dubious certifications, especially since the publication of the Cass Review.’

A spokesperson for Stonewall said: ‘It is common for organizations to reassess whether the programs they have signed up for meet their current needs.

‘We are proud to have worked with the Royal College of Psychiatrists and helped them to rank 90th among Britain’s top employers for LGBTQ+ inclusivity.

“We look forward to continuing to work with them on other policy areas and are pleased that they remain committed to promoting an inclusive workplace for all their employees.”