Keir Starmer appears to slap down his shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson by saying children should not be taught gender ideology at school

Children should not be taught gender ideology at school, Sir Keir Starmer has said in an apparent slapdown of his education spokesman.

Labour's leader said teachers did need guidance on sex and relationships education but that lessons should be age-appropriate.

His comments on Monday appear to contradict those made by his education spokesman the day before, when she failed to back the Government's proposed ban on children being taught about gender identity.

It risks fresh accusations of Labour flip-flopping on the divisive issue, after Sir Keir repeatedly changed his definition of a woman and his stance on transgender rights.

The Department for Education's draft statutory guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), published for consultation last month, stated: 'If asked about the topic of gender identity, schools should teach the facts about biological sex and not use any materials that present contested views as fact, including the view that gender is a spectrum.'

Asked if a Labour government would press ahead with the rules, Bridget Phillipson told the BBC: 'Let's stop this being a political football; this is our children's lives, their wellbeing, it's too important to make this a culture wars issue on the front pages of newspapers. 

'Let's take a more responsible approach, give schools the clear guidance that they need and make sure that our young people are supported as well.'

Asked repeatedly what a Labour government would put in the guidance, she said: 'Many aspects of the draft had good and straightforward principles in it. Other elements of it I think drifted far too much into partisan and unnecessary language that I think makes it harder for schools to navigate this.'

Pressed further she said: 'There are trans people; they have a right for their existence to be recognised. Many people, many trans people are vulnerable and are deserving of support.

'Alongside that we've got to make sure that schools have got clear guidance about how best to support children and young people that are experiencing distress and issues around their wellbeing, that is not well-served by ministers picking fights, seeking headlines; let's take a more responsible approach, let's take the heat out of it, let's do this properly and seriously.'

But asked on a school visit yesterday if he would end the ban on gender ideology being taught, Sir Keir replied: 'No, I'm not in favour of ideology being taught in our schools on gender.'

He went on: 'I do think teachers need guidance. I think we need to complete the consultation process and make sure that there is guidance that is age-appropriate.'

His spokesman added: 'Nothing should be taught in an ideological way in schools.

'Current RSHE guidance requires under law that children are taught in an age-appropriate way the facts about 'sex, sexuality, sexual health and gender identity'.

'Labour's priority is the safety and wellbeing of every child.'

Labour's apparent change of stance on the issue was condemned by some campaigners.