A leading women’s rights group has called for a public inquiry into the "widespread bullying and harassment" of people who speak out about gender issues, warning it risks damaging democracy.

       The Women’s Organisation says that high-profile women in "almost every area of life" are being subjected to threats of violence, misinformation and online vilification by trans activists who accuse them, usually falsely, of being prejudiced and transphobic.

       In a letter to Liz Truss, who is the minister for women and equalities as well as Foreign Secretary, the group - the largest developer and deliverer of training and support for women in the UK - warns that if left unchecked such tactics “will weaken our democracy and cause untold damage”.

       'Spreading propaganda'

       The group’s chief executive, Maggie O’Carroll, says a public enquiry or royal commission is now urgently required “to shed light on a movement which seems to be intent of spreading propaganda, undermining our democratic rights and freedoms and damaging public trust”.

       The Women’s Organisation spoke out following a campaign of what it said was harassment and intimidation against a number of women academics, including most recently Professor Kathleen Stock at Sussex University.

       Trans activists at the university - some masked and brandishing flares - have called for Professor Stock’s sacking, accusing her of transphobia, a claim she strongly rejects

       Posters put up near the University of Sussex campus, along with a vocal social media campaign, claimed the philosophy professor "makes trans students unsafe".

       Photos also show a masked protester standing on the university's sign with a banner that reads "Stock out".

       Professor Stock, 48, who recently published a book questioning the idea that gender identity is more "socially significant" than biological sex, completely rejects the claim that either she or her work is transphobic.

       The University of Sussex's vice chancellor, Adam Tickell, defended Professor Stock on Saturday, saying that staff "have an untrammelled right to say and believe what they think.”

       The Women’s Organisation says attacks by trans activists on Professor Stock - along with similar campaigns against Joanna Cherry QC, the barrister and SNP MP for Edinburgh, and the author JK Rowling - are part of a virulent campaign by groups whose aims also include dismantling the current Equalities Act, Education and Gender Recognition Act.

       This allows for certain women-only spaces and facilities, such as in sports and in hospitals, prisons, refuges and other institutions.

       Opponents of the Act are demanding that trans people who self-identify as women should have access to such official women-only spaces and facilities, regardless of their biological sex.

       'Climate of fear'

       The Women’s Organisation claims trans campaigns in the field of policing, health, the arts, housing and sport, are creating a climate of fear in which organisations become reluctant to provide facilities for women only.

       It says such campaigns are also leading to widespread inhibition by people as to what they say and even what language they use, even when describing themselves.

       In her letter to Ms Truss, Ms Carroll - who has been named as one of the 100 most influential people in the UK’s social enterprise sector - states: “In workplaces up and down the country . . . staff members are reporting feeling intimidated to publish their pronouns in the workplace, fearing reprisals from other staff and union representatives if they do not subscribe to a particular workplace dogma relating to gender identity or shared facilities.”

       The Women’s Organisation, which has helped hundreds of women start their own businesses and works with governments, international organisations and communities to promote women’s issues, says action is needed now “action to protect ordinary citizens as they go about their daily personal and professional lives”.

       'Freedom of speech is a vital pillar of our society'

       Lesbian and gay rights groups have backed the call for a public inquiry into what they say is the harassment of women, especially lesbians, by gender identity theorists.

       The LGB Alliance stated: "It is quite clear that this harrassment comes from misogynists who have found the ideal cover for their attempts to silence any woman who does not toe their regressive and homophobic line."

       A spokesperson for the Government’s Equality Hub said: “Freedom of speech is a vital pillar of our society, and no one should be silenced for expressing their legitimately held opinions.

       “Those that seek to bully, harass and intimidate others because of their views are seeking to undermine this basic freedom and should not be tolerated on university campuses or anywhere.”