Rosie Duffield makes surprise appearance at party conference amid reports she would stay away 

Labour’s Rosie Duffield made a surprise appearance at the party conference after reports suggested she would avoid it over safety concerns.

The Canterbury MP was at a fringe event supporting sex-based rights last night despite previously saying ‘it was better for everyone if I quietly stayed away’ due to fears that she may need security.

Miss Duffield had received threats after writing on Twitter that ‘only women have a cervix’. 

Speaking to a fringe event hosted by Labour Women’s Declaration, Miss Duffield said: ‘It comes to the point where you absolutely have no choice but to stand up.

‘All I did was dip my toe in the water and like somebody’s tweet – from that moment on, words have been put into my mouth, people have become obsessed with my likes and imagined thoughts.’

She added: ‘I’m not a transphobe, and never have been.’ 

Earlier in the day, a delegate who spoke in support of Miss Duffield was met with a mixture of applause and boos on the conference floor.

The Canterbury MP was at a fringe event supporting sex-based rights last night despite previously saying ‘it was better for everyone if I quietly stayed away’ due to fears that she may need security (file image)

Ms Duffield later confirmed to the Mail that she was just here for the single fringe event, would not step foot in the main conference building and simply wanted to be there for the evening’s discussion ‘among friends’.

She was joined on the panel by fellow MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who said she had the support of at least 20 Labour MPs who didn’t want to take the risk of supporting or appearing at the event.

Protests flared up outside the venue and remained audible throughout, despite the location only being disclosed to ticket-holders yesterday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, a delegate who spoke in support of Ms Duffield was met with a mixture of applause and boos on the conference floor.