UNANIMOUS

TOP judges yesterday paved the way for trans women to be banned from same-sex spaces such as changing rooms.

- DAVE BURKE & SOPHIE HUSKISSON

Five Supreme Court justices unanimously said biological sex should define who is viewed as a woman when equalities legislation is applied.

They ruled that having a gender recognition certificate does not change a person's sex in law. But they stressed vital protections for the trans community were not being torn up.

Supporters hailed it as a victory for women, while devastated critics said the trans community was being erased.

It comes following a legal campaign by action group For Women Scotland, which challenged the Scottish government over the validity of GRCs.

Author JK Rowling, who has been outspoken on gender issues, said: "In winning, they've protected the rights of women and girls across the UK."

But Thomas Willett, of campaign group Equality Amplified, described it as a "disgraceful attack on trans rights".

The decision is likely to have far-reaching repercussions across public services, with prisons, the NHS and refuges likely to be affected.

Almost 8,500 GRCs - issued to people with gender dysphoria who have lived in their new gender for two years and intend to do so for the rest of their life - have been issued since 2004.

ATTACKS