A Labour backbencher has made a fresh plea for Health Secretary Wes Streeting to stop a controversial trial of puberty blocking drugs.

Jonathan Hinder, the MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, branded the 'immoral' trial as 'a shameful experiment on children'.

He is among dozens of MPs and peers who are calling for Mr Streeting to think again about the 'Pathways' trial for gender-questioning youngsters.

The King's College London trial will involve around 226 people aged between 10 and almost 16 and was recommended by the Cass Review into children's gender care.

The review concluded that the quality of research claiming to show the benefits of puberty blockers for youngsters with gender dysphoria was 'poor'.

Mr Streeting has admitted he is 'uncomfortable' with puberty-suppressing hormones being used on young people, but said it is his responsibility to follow expert advice.

A large group of parliamentarians last month signed a cross-party letter to the Health Secretary to warn that continuing with the trial is a 'dangerous mistake'.

Mr Hinder has now penned a joint newspaper article with Conservative MP Rebecca Paul, who has also signed the letter, in a further attempt to stop the trial.

A Labourbackbencher has made a fresh plea for Health Secretary Wes Streetingto stop a controversial trial of puberty blocking drugs

Jonathan Hinder, the MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, branded the 'immoral' trial as 'a shameful experiment on children'.

The wrote in the Daily Express: 'The NHS is set to run a shameful experiment on children.

'Physically healthy kids, some as young as eight, will be injected with drugs commonly known as 'puberty blockers'.

'These medications stop the child's natural growth in an attempt to 'correct' them, because they do not conform to sexist gender stereotypes – where boys like football and girls like Barbies.

'These children are often beginning to grapple with their sexuality, are neurodivergent, or are traumatised, so they are especially vulnerable.

'Puberty can be a tough time for anyone. But what children need is support to accept their healthy bodies as they are, rather than being told their bodies are somehow 'wrong'.

'Puberty blockers will put them on the path to sterilisation, lack of sexual function, and needing medical treatment for life.

'All before they are old enough to know what is happening to them. No child can consent to this.'