A leading SNP MP has dodged questions on whether trans people convicted of sex crimes should be allowed in female jails.
13.01.2023 - 13:13 / dailyrecord.co.uk
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has refused to rule out blocking new controversial gender recognition laws passed by the Scottish Parliament.
Sunak refused to say in an interview with Good Morning Scotland whether the UK Government would stop the Gender Reform Recognition (Scotland) Bill from becoming law.
MSPs voted to pass the Bill in December. It will remove the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to obtain a gender recognition certificate (GRC).
It also lowers the minimum age for applicants to 16 and drops the time required for an applicant to live in their acquired gender from two years to three months - six for those aged 16 and 17 - though with a three-month reflection period.
But the passage of the Bill does not mean it becomes law. Scottish Secretary Alister Jack is now able to legally challenge the law if he believes it impacts on the UK. Private groups are also able to take legal action should they wish.
But Sunak refused to be drawn on whether the UK Government would block the law.
He told Good Morning Scotland: "It is completely standard practice. When the Scottish parliament passes a law, it's completely normal for the UK Government to take advice on the impact of that law across the UK, and then consider how best to proceed.
"That's the process that's underway at the moment. I think that's entirely reasonable and standard."
He added: "The government's waiting to receive final advice and then we'll set out next steps in due course."
He also refused to say whether Scottish gender recognition certificates would be accepted in England.
Sunak is on a two-day trip to Scotland in what is his first visit to the country since becoming Prime Minister.
He met with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday evening.
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