BORIS Johnson has plunged into the transgender row declaring “basic facts of biology” should be used to recognise women.

       The PM risked the wrath of the trans lobby after he said biology remains “overwhelmingly important” in deciding genders.

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       Boris Johnson has plunged into the transgender row declaring 'basic facts of biology' should be used to recognise women 2

       It came after trans swimmer Lia Thomas won a female national competition in America

       But he recognised that people who are transitioning “should be treated with the maximum possible generosity and respect”.

       He was asked at Prime Minister’s Questions by Tory MP Angela Richardson to “discuss how we can constructively support young people who are experiencing gender distress”.

       The PM said the trans debate required “extreme sensitivity, tact, love and care”.

       But he added: “I do want to say that I think when it comes to distinguishing between a man and a woman, the basic facts of biology remain overwhelmingly important.”

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       It comes weeks after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was criticised by Harry Potter author JK Rowling for declaring “trans women are women”.

       Sir Keir said in an interview: “That is not just my view — that is the law.”

       The author said later: “I don’t think our politicians have the slightest idea how much anger is building among women at the attempts to threaten and intimidate them out of speaking publicly about their own rights, their own bodies and their own lives.”

       One of Sir Keir’s MPs also faced a backlash for backing trans swimmer Lia Thomas, who won a female national competition in America.

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       Labour MP Charlotte Nichols tweeted: “Anyone nastily trying to diminish Lia Thomas’s incredible achievement because of lazy transphobia should frankly pipe down.”

       Former British Olympian Sharron Davies replied: “Disgraceful abandonment of women’s right to equal opportunities in sport.”