Girlguiding has rejected criticism that its policy of including transgender members and leaders puts girls at risk.

The organisation said that "simply being transgender does not make someone more of a safeguarding risk than any other person" after its inclusion of people who self-identify as female came under attack.

In a joint statement, chief guide Amanda Medler and chief executive Ruth Marvel said much of the criticism had been "inaccurate, aggressive and counter to the values we hold dear" and they wanted to "set the record straight".

Earlier this month, two leaders had their membership withdrawn after they publicly objected to elements of Girlguiding's equality and diversity policy.

"In the last few days you may have seen that Girlguiding's equality and diversity policy has been criticised in the media, with accusations that our inclusion of trans members puts girls at risk. It does not," they said.

The chiefs said they had tried to resist being drawn into the "highly politicised, emotive and often aggressive" debate around transgender inclusion and they stressed that Guildguiding is not a "transgender campaign group".

They added: "We are a young people's organisation. Our focus has been, and will remain, providing our young members with opportunities to learn, grow and discover in a fun, safe, inclusive and legally compliant way."