I took a couple of risks to get the story about Oxford lecturer Matt Rattley into the national press. First, I did the reporting on spec. There was every chance I’d never be paid a penny for it. Then I published some of what I’d found on my own site, [Un]Captured. I’d seen three complaints made to St Hilda’s College about Rattley wearing large prosthetic breasts at work. From what I could establish, no action appeared to have been taken. On Friday morning, the Mail on Sunday finally said yes. About ten minutes later, the Telegraph asked me to write the story for them. I had to say no. I’d already given it to the Mail on Sunday. Then the Telegraph’s piece came out before mine. Which, if I’m honest, was gutting. But at least the story was out there. Which is clearly in the public interest. I still have SO many questions. Why did it take so long for this to get national coverage? What did St Hilda’s do with those complaints? Did anyone investigate the safeguarding concerns they raised? And what is it about the culture at St Hilda’s that makes it so hard for current staff and students to speak openly about what’s been happening? My inbox is open. You can reach me at janet@janetmurray.co.uk. I’ll treat all messages in confidence. Please share this with anyone who might be able to help.

A perverted man would never claim to be a woman for nefarious reasons. This would never happen. Except it does. And this is the second example I’ve seen in as many days. However at least the reporting from @DevonLiveNews is responsible. The offender goes by the name Jessica Smith, which is evident from the photo. But unlike the dreadful @barrydistrict article which somehow managed to include the phrase “her penis”, readers are also given material facts. Such as: “Smith, a male who identifies as trans female…” In other words, readers are given the information they need to understand the story. No mental gymnastics. No absurd contradictions. Just clear reporting of the facts. Accuracy and clarity are not acts of prejudice. They are the minimum standards readers should expect from journalists. And this article shows that it is perfectly possible to do so, even in cases where men claim to be women. Without ideological positioning. Without pretending sex and identity are the same thing. And without leaving readers bewildered by contradictions that journalists themselves have created. Link below 👇