Anne Ruzylo, left, has been accused of having “transphobic” views by a fellow Labour Party member and by the teenager Lily Madigan, right

The executive committee of a local Labour Party has resigned en masse in support of a women’s officer who was allegedly subjected to months of harassment by transgender rights campaigners.

Anne Ruzylo, 52, claims that a fellow party member in Bexhill and Battle, East Sussex, orchestrated a smear campaign against her because she did not share his views on gender identity.

Government plans to reform the legal definition of man and woman have been praised by transgender activists, who welcome moves to make it easier to change gender officially.

However, Ms Ruzylo, a former prison officer who is a lesbian, shares the concerns of women’s groups, gay rights groups and parents of gender-confused children who argue that fear of appearing politically incorrect is preventing proper