The Daily Star has published an article condemning the NHS for providing gender reassignment surgery to trans women.

It also claims that trans women are “men desperate to follow in the footsteps of boxing promoter [Kellie] Maloney by undergoing gender reassignment.”

The NHS has recently struggled to keep up with the number of surgeries required, due to a surgeon retiring. 31 women were referred to a private hospital for their surgery, which was paid for by the NHS.

The Star article says: “All 31 patients were treated at Parkside Hospital near Wimbledon, south-west London, at a cost of more than £11,000 each.

“It has almost 100 patients approved for gender reassignment ops, including 22 who have been given a date for surgery and 76 waiting to be informed when their procedure will take place.”

It also included a quote from Andrea Williams of the Christian Legal Centre, who said: “It seems the NHS is following the fashionable transgender whim rather than following the science and providing psychological care so these people can live happily in the sex they were born into.”

As well as Roger Goss of Patient Concern, who said: “If you surveyed the general public you would probably find a majority against ‘free’ sex operations at a time when the NHS is so strapped for cash it has to institute rationing.

“Most would probably prioritise treating the sick over helping those unhappy in their own bodies.”

Trans activists condemned the article, saying it is damaging to suggest conversion therapy, and emphasising that gender reassignment surgery is medically necessary.