The Green Party has suspended Eleanora Folan, a trans woman elected to a council role, as it faces legal action from some members regarding her appointment. Folan, who identifies as a communist and anti-Zionist, was elected last month to represent the Eastern Region in a women's position. The suspension follows concerns from gender-critical members who argue that the appointment contradicts a Supreme Court ruling stating that the term 'woman' in the Equality Act 2010 refers only to biological women. The ruling clarified that transgender individuals are protected from discrimination under a different part of the law.
A Green Party spokesperson confirmed Folan's suspension but stated the party does not comment on disciplinary matters. Jude English, director of Green Women's Declaration and co-chair of Green Party Women, expressed concerns about the party's adherence to equality law, stating that the leadership has ignored legal warnings regarding women's rights. The party is also facing separate legal challenges related to its policies on sex and gender, with The Good Law Project pledging to defend them.
Folan has been associated with an X account that has made controversial statements about the Iranian regime and its treatment of women and minorities. Following her election, she stated that her position symbolizes a change within the party. The Green Party is reportedly spending nearly £200,000 annually on legal costs related to various disciplinary cases, including one involving former deputy leader Shahrar Ali, who was awarded £9,100 in compensation for unlawful discrimination based on his gender-critical beliefs. A Green Party spokesperson reiterated that all elections are conducted in accordance with their rules and that they recognize trans women as women and trans men as men.