Defence chiefs back transgender people

defence chiefs have backed transgender people serving in the armed forces after US president Donald Trump announced they are to be banned from the US military.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Mr Trump said he had taken the decision because US forces “cannot be burdened with the tre- mendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail”.

His comments were opposed by Rear Admiral Alex Burton, Commander UK Maritime Forces, who tweeted: “As a Royal Navy LGBT champion and senior warfighter I am so glad we are not going this way.”

He added: “We have a justifiably rigorous selection process but it doesn’t include discrimination and we’re a better fighting force for it.”