Paul Frew calls Naomi Long remarks on teachers a ‘radical ideological agenda’

DUP MLA Paul Frew has called on Justice Minister Naomi Long to issue an “immediate and unequivocal apology” after she suggested that new Department of Education guidance on gender issues in schools could risk enabling teachers to bully pupils.

Mrs Long made the comments in response to Education Minister Paul Givan’s recent policy direction, which instructed schools to follow the Supreme Court’s interpretation of “sex” as biological sex when applying rules around facilities, pronouns and sports.

Speaking about the potential impact, the Justice Minister warned the policy could lead to “open season on bullying of young people – not just by other peers in their class and other members of the same age, but actually by people within their classrooms – their teachers and others – who may actually now be in a situation where they feel enabled to take their own ideological position and work that through the classroom.”

‘Disgraceful slur’ on teachers

Paul Frew strongly criticised the remarks, claiming they were an insult to teachers across Northern Ireland.

“I have been contacted by numerous teachers who are outraged by the Justice Minister’s remarks. To suggest that teachers, the very people who dedicate their lives to educating and protecting children, would be enabled to bully pupils is an insult of the highest order. It is a disgraceful slur on their professionalism, their integrity, and their commitment to our young people,” he said.

The North Antrim MLA accused the Alliance leader of undermining the profession and fuelling division.

“This is yet another example of the Alliance Party’s radical ideology trampling over basic respect for those on the front line of our education system. Naomi Long’s comments have caused significant concern among many teachers right across Northern Ireland.

“Our teachers deserve better than to be used as pawns in Alliance’s culture war. They deserve respect, support, and gratitude – not wild accusations from a Minister who should know better, but whose approach appears to be driven by a radical ideological agenda.

“Naomi Long must withdraw these remarks and issue an immediate apology. Anything less is unacceptable.”

Ongoing political row

The row comes amid heightened political debate over the Department of Education’s new policy, published after the UK Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers.

The policy requires schools to apply rules on facilities, sports participation and pronoun use according to biological sex rather than gender identity.

While Mr Givan has defended the move as providing “legal clarity” and protecting children, opponents – including Naomi Long – have warned of the risks for transgender and non-binary pupils.