UK government threatens to block transgender reform passed in Scotland
Supporters of Scottish reform around transidentity outside the Scottish Parliament, ahead of the debate on the law in Edinburgh, December 20, 2022. © Jane Barlow / AP
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2 mins
New tension between London and Edinburgh.
Changing gender in Scotland could become easier: a controversial law was passed by the Scottish Parliament this Thursday, December 22.
You no longer need a medical diagnosis to change sex, nor parental consent.
A rule that conflicts with British law, according to Downing Street.
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With our correspondent in London
,
Marie Boëda
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has threatened to block this reform adopted in Scotland on Thursday, which facilitates the recognition of gender change.
It will now be possible to change gender at 16 by signing a declaration.
But it is a legal headache according to the conservatives.
According to Rishi Sunak, the reform affects national security and raises many “
concerns
”.
The main reason put forward: the safety of women and children.
In London, there are fears that biologically born male Scottish prisoners, including rapists, could ask to be transferred to a women's prison, which they say would make women even more vulnerable.
An MP opposed to the law was accused of spreading hate speech by asking: "
If a fox says he's a chicken, would you let him into a chicken coop?"
".
“
It is entirely reasonable for the UK government to look (to the text) to understand the consequences for the safety of women and children in the rest of the UK and decide on the appropriate measures to take
,” Rishi Sunak said. on the television.
The British government has also indicated that it could use a right of veto.
Tension between Scotland and the British government
Similar to
the one adopted in Spain
after months of fierce controversy and heated debate, the text has provoked a new collision between the Scottish independence executive and the British conservative government, which could lead to the Court for the second time in a few months. supreme.
The latter concluded last month that no referendum on Scottish independence could be held without the agreement of the British government.
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish Prime Minister, had denounced a denial of democracy.
His party assures that any further attempt by Downing Street to undermine Edinburgh's will would be vigorously opposed.
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