UK Government threat to block Holyrood gender reform bill 'an attack on devolution'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Scottish Government has vowed to "vigorously contest" any legal challenge from Westminster over its gender reform plans.Shona Robison, the social justice secretary, flatly rejected claims from the UK Government that the Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill could negatively impact UK-wide equalities laws.MSPs from all parties voted to pass the controversial legislation by 86 votes to 39 on Thursday after three days of intense debate and protests outside Holyrood.The passing of the Bill will remove the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to obtain a gender recognition certificate (GRC).Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, later warned the UK Government could block the legislation by issuing a rare section 35 order.Mercedes Villalba, a Labour MSP, said: "Let's call this what it is, an attack on devolution."UK equalities minister Kemi Badenoch also said the UK Government was “now looking at provisions that can prompt reconsideration” of the legislation.The Tory MP said last night: "The SNP passed their gender recognition bill, despite strong opposition from even within their own party, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls and a variety of civic groups in Scotland."I share their concerns.

Particularly, on this Bill's impact on the functioning of the Equality Act, which is designed to protect all UK citizens."The Scottish Government has not addressed the full implications of their bill - especially on the lives of women and girls.

The UK Government is now looking at provisions that can prompt reconsideration and allow MSPs to address these issues."But Robison promised today to defend the gender reforms. "The Bill as passed is absolutely within