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Tory Dominic Raab has declared he would not call himself a feminist and indicated he opposes reforms to make it easier for trans people to change their legal gender.

The leadership hopeful sparked an angry backlash with his remarks - which came after he was challenged over his 2011 claim that some feminists are "obnoxious bigots".

Asked on ITV News whether he would describe himself as a feminist he said: "No, probably not.

"But I would describe myself as someone who's a champion of equality and meritocracy."

He also appeared to indicate he opposes reforms, led by Theresa May , to make it easier for transgender people to change their legal gender.

(Image: Jack Taylor)

The outgoing Prime Minister said in 2017 being transgender is "not an illness" and proposed changes, giving people more power to change their legal gender.

A consultation on proposed amendments to the Gender Recognition Act closed in October last year.

But asked if he backed making it easier for people to change their gender, Mr Raab told ITV: "I certainly don't think I want to make it easier.

"I think we need to be very careful with young people at that age.

"I want everyone to feel comfortable in their own skin but I do worry a little bit, with some of this debate, whether it's in relation to vulnerable women in prisons or children in schools that we don't just take a very careful balanced approach

"Because we need ot be a society which is small L liberal, tolerant and open and warm to the LGBT community, but I also worry about the vulnerability of other people, whether it's women in prisons or children at a very tender age in schools.

"So we need to get the balance right."

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Mr Raab sparked outrage with his comments about feminism in 2011.

The MP said "feminists are now amongst the most obnoxious bigots" and said it was time for men to start "burning their briefs".

He had written: "While we have some of the toughest anti-discrimination laws in the world, we are blind to some of the most flagrant discrimination – against men.

"From the cradle to the grave, men are getting a raw deal."

Questioned last night by ITV, the Tory leadership contender said: "The point I was making is that sexism is wrong and it's wrong if it's said about a woman or about a man and I think equality is too precious a value for us to put up with double standards.

"I do think we should call hypocrisy out in political debate and political life."

Referring to his wife, Erika, he said they were a "two salary couple, I support her as much as she supports me".

(Image: REUTERS)

"I'm all for working women making the very best of their potential and that's something that's really important to me."

But one senior female Tory fumed to The Sun: “What about non-working women, stay at home Mums, what’s he think about them?

“Every candidate should be a feminist.”

And Sky News presenter Kay Burley tweeted: "Mate... Definition: the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes."

Meanwhile Tara Hewitt, co-founder of the Trans Equality Legal Initiative, said: "Conservative party is institutionally Transphobic.

"Not only is there no chance Dominic Raab MP will be suspended for implying trans people are a danger to other people, he is one of front runners to become next leader & Prime Minister genuinely scary.

"True Nasty Party."