Leaked WhatsApp messages have shown a division within Labour over views on the controversial ruling by the Supreme Court on the definition of the word woman. Last week, judges in the Supreme Court ruled that the terms “sex” and “woman” in the 2010 Equality Act “refer to a biological woman and biological sex”.

This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if “proportionate”, which has split opinion across the country. Leaked messages have now revealed the split within the Labour Party itself, with Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum Dame Angela Eagle warning that the decision could be “catastrophic” for transgender people. It is understood that the MP has organised a meeting of Labour MPs this week to “decide a way forward”.

It is understood that the MPs will then seek a meeting with the relevant equalities minister to promote the rights of trans people in light of the ruling, the Telegraph reports.

According to reports, Downing Street will take no action against the MPs despite the Government saying that the decision delivers “clarity” on the matter for hospitals and refuges of whether or not a person with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) identifying as female should be treated as a woman under equality law.

Among those involved in the WhatsApp exchanges were Sir Chris Bryant, the culture minister Steve Race, the Labour MP for Exeter.

Yesterday, thousands of trans rights protesters gathered in central London to protest against the Supreme Court’s decision.

Trans rights groups, trade unions and community organisations came together for what was billed as an “emergency demonstration” in Parliament Square.

Activists demanded “trans liberation” and “trans rights now”, with some waving flags and holding banners.

Police have launched an investigation after seven statues were daubed with graffiti during the protest.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who was leading the policing operation for the protest, said: “It is very disappointing to see damage to seven statues and property in the vicinity of the protest today.

“We support the public’s right to protest but criminality like this is completely unacceptable.

“We are now investigating this criminal damage and urge anyone with any information to come forward.”