Guide leaders are rebelling against a policy that lets boys claiming to be female share showers and tents with girls on camping trips. The organisation forbids leaders telling parents.

Helen Watts, 33, is one of at least 20 rebel unit leaders to write to Girlguiding’s national headquarters in protest at the rules, published in January last year, which apply to all girl guides aged 5 to 25.

They say Girlguiding has dismissed their concerns. Now they want girls and parents to be asked their views. Watts, who leads a west London Rainbows unit for girls aged 5 to 7, said: “I don’t think a transgender person necessarily presents a danger to anyone else, nor would I want to exclude them . . . but the