The architect of a gender identity drive who campaigns for transgender rights has been forced to defend their membership of the Freemasons amid accusations of hypocrisy.

Edward Lord chairs the City of London's establishment committee, which has launched a consultation on ending sex segregation in its women-only spaces such as public lavatories and changing facilities at well-known landmarks including Hampstead Heath ponds, the Barbican arts centre, Tower Bridge and the Museum of London.

A Twitter row erupted yesterday as it emerged that Lord, who identifies as non-binary and asks to be described by the pronoun "they,” is a Freemason, an institution that has famously refuses to allow women to join its men-only lodges.

Critics noted that Lord had previously suggested that gender identity was “of complete irrelevance biologically” yet membership of a male-only organisation said otherwise.

One said: “So does this mean you will be campaigning to allow women into the males lodges of the Freemasons as well. You know what with all spaces becoming mixed and all?”

Lord retaliated: “I take the view that I can best influence change from within,” posting a Freemasons statement that says transmen are welcome to join and trans women can remain members.