SCOTLAND’s representative on Labour’s LGBT+ committee has resigned over a lack of “transparency and action” by members and the party leadership following Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to a church providing gay conversion therapy.

Elsie Greenwood announced on Thursday night that she would step down from her post, claiming that the committee has failed to hold the Labour leadership to account. 

Ms Greenwood, a party activist in Glasgow, told the Morning Star that she had long-standing concerns over LGBT+ Labour’s representation of members’ views – particularly on transphobia – with a statement published following Sir Keir’s visit to the London church being the final straw. 

Ms Greenwood said: “This week I resigned from the LGBT+ Labour UK committee as Scotland rep. We need transparency and action, not hollow platitudes. 

“Our community deserves better representation.

“I am remaining as co-chair of LGBT+ Labour Scotland as I believe we remain an open and effective organisation who put our members’ interests first.”

Ms Greenwood’s resignation comes after the Labour leader was forced to apologise for praising Jesus House in north London, which has been accused of historically offering conversion therapy and carrying out “exorcisms” of LGBT+ people. 

Sir Keir said that he disagreed with the church’s views on LGBT+ rights and was unaware of them before his visit. 

Following a meeting with him, LGBT+ Labour said that Sir Keir committed to working with “the LGBT+ community to bring forward new UK Labour policies to address LGBT+ priorities and advance equality, including to ban conversion therapy.”

The Labour Party, Sir Keir, Ms Duffield and LGBT+ Labour were all approached for comment.