INTERNATIONAL: Transgender women should not be competing in female sporting events, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told broadcasters on Wednesday 6th April.

Johnson was speaking as the country looked set to abandon plans to hold a flagship conference designed to promote LGBT+ rights around the world.

Charities and organisations are boycotting the event following a dispute over conversion therapy for transgender people.

"I don't think biological males should be competing in female sporting events. Maybe that's a controversial thing to say, but it just seems to me to be sensible," Johnson said.

"I also happen to think that women should have spaces -- whether it's in hospitals, prison or changing rooms -- which are dedicated to women. That's as far as my thinking has developed on this issue.

"If that puts me in conflict with some others, then we have got to work it all out. It doesn't mean I'm not immensely sympathetic to people.

^{PHOTO:  BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON SAYING TRANSGENDER WOMEN SHOULD NOT COMPETE IN FEMALE SPORTING EVENTS / FILE FOOTAGE AND PHOTOS OF TRANSGENDER WOMEN ATHLETES LAUREL HUBBARD AND LIA THOMAS / FILE PHOTO OF UCI HEADQUARTERS, AFTER THEY RULED TRANS CYCLIST EMILY BRIDGES INELIGIBLE TO COMPETE}