Bridget Phillipson has been accused of delaying the publishing of guidance on single-sex spaces amid concerns she may lose support from Labour backbenchers.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) gave the statutory guidance to Mrs Phillipson, who is also the Women and Equalities Minister.

The document sets out how gyms, clubs and hospitals must judge single-sex spaces based on biology.

While it has not yet been laid in parliament, and there has been intense backlash from transgender campaigners and opposition MPs.

Sources close to Mrs Phillipson accused her opponents “weaponising gender issues” in a “cynical and divisive” way and the Government was “taking the time” to get the guidance right.

One told The Times: “To suggest that the timing of publication is in any way politically motivated is beneath contempt.”

Others have expressed concern the guidance was released would make them “extremely unpopular” in their seats.

Another MP said: “I back Bridget, but if this guidance is published before the vote closes there’s no way I can vote for her. I’ve got a big LGBT community in my constituency and I’d never get their vote again.”

Her opponent in the upcoming deputy leadership contest, Lucy Powell, is understood to think now that MPs should be able to vote on the guidance because it will become law.

Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Mims Davies accused Phillipson of putting “her own career opportunities ahead of women’s rights.”

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Margaret Thatcher honoured 100 years on from day she was born

Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was born 100 years ago to the day and celebrations are being held around the country in her honour.

She was the longest serving Prime Minister for over 150 years, leading the Conservatives to three General Election victories.

To mark the occasion, GB News reporter Anna Riley has taken a look back on the life of one of the most controversial figures in British politics.

READ ANNA’S ANALYSIS HERE.

Keir Starmer urges momentum be seized for second phase of peace amid Gaza summit

Sir Keir Starmer will call for the momentum of the ceasefire agreement brokered by Donald Trump to be seized to secure lasting peace in Gaza as he attends a summit on Monday.

The US president and fellow negotiators, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, will sign off the peace plan in Sharm El Sheikh, joined by leaders from more than 20 countries.

The summit, co-hosted by the US leader and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, comes as part of efforts to secure the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been holding since Friday.

Mr Trump, who will first travel to Israel to meet with hostage families and address parliament there, said he was “very excited about this moment in time” before Air Force One took off.

He said many in both Israel and Arab countries were “cheering” the agreement and that “everybody’s amazed and they’re thrilled and we’re going to have an amazing time.”