Pathways Study: Puberty Suppression

Jonathan Hinder Excerpts

Monday 22nd June 2026 Commons Chamber

[James Murray]

I reassure the hon. Lady, as I set out in my responses to earlier questions, that while my starting point is that clinical evidence should be the basis for our way forward, I have taken the responsibility to interrogate that with the highest level of scrutiny in order to ensure that the conclusions are as robust as possible. That has involved my ensuring that my clinical advisers at the Department for Health and Social Care and the other bodies associated with the Department have provided me with the highest level of detail and reassurance about the safeguards in place. Although I stand behind the principle of following clinical advice and basing conclusions on clinical evidence, I feel that it is important for me, as Health Secretary, to have an extremely high bar for a decision of this magnitude.

[Jonathan Hinder (Pendle and Clitheroe) (Lab)]

The Secretary of State has repeatedly told us that he feels uncomfortable and uneasy. If I am totally honest, I do not think that he believes that this is right at all. I think that in his heart, he knows that this is wrong. Of course it is wrong: stopping an 11-year-old—a primary school child—from going through the natural process that we must all go through to become adults by injecting them with drugs is wrong. We must think about the title of the statement: puberty suppression. People do not need a medical or a science degree to know that the suppression of puberty is wrong. This is a moral question and I am afraid that as it stands the Secretary of State is on the wrong side of it. He says “let them be”—if only they had let Keira Bell be. When she had the treatment, Keira Bell was much older than these children will be when they are given it. She regrets it all and now campaigns to stop this. There is huge public opposition to this—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)]

Order. I assume the hon. Gentleman is getting to a question.

[Jonathan Hinder]

There is huge opposition to this among people who vote Labour, including many of my constituents, so I implore—

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman’s question is far too long. I call the Secretary of State.