Model Munroe Bergdorf has been appointed LGBT advisor to Dawn Butler, Labour’s women and equality minister.

An event was held at Parliament on Monday (26 Feb) to announce the LGBT advisory panel. Joining Munroe is Linda Riley, publisher of Diva magazine, and entrepreneur Anthony Watson.

It’s understood the group will work closely with Butler, advising her on LGBT issues. She said she was “proud to stand with those challenging discrimination”.

Tory MP Helen Grant has however, spoken up, voicing her concerns in a letter urging the Labour MP to reconsider the appointment. She believes the language used by the model “damages the campaign to promote equality”.

“The kind of language Bergdorf has used has no place in public life, and ought to be condemned by all those who are serious about promoting equality” says Grant.

Bergdorf was the first transgender model to front a campaign for L’Oreal, but was dropped in September after claims she posted racist comments online.

Bergdorf defended her position at the time that L’Oreal took action, arguing that she was angry after the scenes in Charlottesville and wanted to explain that racism was systematic. That being racist was not just about attacking people, but failing to take action against the system.

“Thrilled” to join the Labour team, Bergdorf has since defended her previous comments.

She said, “I believe that racism isn’t always conscious and that yes, society does unconsciously centre and prioritise whiteness, which leads to unconscious bias and ultimately racism.”