A Liberal Democrat councillor has been suspended after posting a threatening image aimed at a gender-critical woman, sparking claims of two-tier policing in the trans rights debate.
Ian Bristow, who represents Berkhamsted Castle on Dacorum Borough Council, tweeted a picture of a girl pointing a gun with the words: “Shut the f— up, Terf.”
The post was directed at Natalie Bird, a gender-critical activist previously barred as a parliamentary candidate in 2018.
The message drew condemnation after author JK Rowling highlighted it as evidence of policing double standards.
She contrasted Bristow’s treatment with that of comedy writer Graham Linehan, arrested earlier this week by five armed officers over a series of gender-related tweets.
Rowling wrote, “The UK: where a comedy writer is met with armed police … and an elected politician is free to publicly tell a woman to shut the f— up with a picture of a gun.”
Following public backlash, the Liberal Democrats confirmed Bristow’s suspension. A party spokesman said his tweet was unacceptable and welcomed his apology.
Bristow acknowledged, “On reflection I accept that the tone and graphic used were inappropriate.”
Campaigners said the incident highlighted hostility faced by women who question gender self-ID policies.
The director of advocacy, Helen Joyce at women’s rights group Sex Matters, called Bristow’s remarks completely unacceptable and said they risked inciting violence against people with lawful, factual beliefs.
Bird, who shared a screenshot of the post, said Bristow needed “urgent training in social media, professionalism and misogyny.”
The campaign group Liberal Voice for Women accused the party of ignoring similar incidents since 2018.
The Liberal Democrats officially support gender self-identification, despite polls showing most members back the current gender recognition laws.
