London Marathon: Choir dropped by charity Scope over founder’s gender-critical views

A choir has been told by a disability charity that it will not be welcome at Sunday’s London Marathon because its founder holds gender-critical views.

The Singing Striders have performed at the event on behalf of Scope for the past two years and were booked again for this Sunday.

On Tuesday, choir founder Janet Murray received an email from the charity telling her it no longer wished to have the Singing Striders perform at the marathon.

The email, seen by the BBC, said it was because of “concerns raised” and that everyone involved in Scope events needs to reflect their “commitment to equality and inclusion”.

Scope told the BBC that it “didn’t feel it appropriate” for Murray to represent the charity.

As a journalist, Murray has written extensively on transgender issues, but says she has never brought her views to the choir or to the London Marathon.

“I don’t believe that human beings can change sex, and I believe that women’s spaces and sports should be just for biological women,” said Murray.

“They’ve looked at my personal social media and seen that I’ve been reporting on girl guiding and the Women’s Institute – looking specifically at changes in the rules around boys and males not being allowed to take part, so I do feel [the charity’s decision] is based on that.”

Scope chief executive John McLachlan, in a statement to the BBC, said: “We understand and respect the right for people to hold differing views about gender and inclusion.

“However, the way these views are communicated matters, especially when they alienate others.

“As such, we didn’t feel it appropriate for her [Janet Murray] to volunteer to represent Scope.”

The LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall has been contacted for comment.