A former Green deputy leader who is suing the party over his sacking amid a row over his views on transgender issues has accused it of a “fanatical clampdown” on free speech.
Shahrar Ali claims he was discriminated against by the Left-wing group when he was sacked as one of its spokesmen last year amid a row over his gender-critical beliefs.
The first known civil trial of its kind starts on Monday, with Mr Ali and two other individuals thought to be the first paid-up activists to mount legal action against their own side to defend their right to speak freely in the trans debate.
The Green Party removed the 54-year-old as its policing spokesman on February 5, 2022 in the wake of complaints from activists that his tweets about women’s sex-based rights were transphobic.
Mr Ali told the Sunday Times the case represented “a battle for the soul” of the Green Party, adding: “It has completely lost its way. It has become an oppressive space for free speech.
Source: Former Green deputy sues party after being sacked amid row over his trans views