THE UK Government has announced they will BLOCK the SNP's controversial gender reform bill.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said he was making a section 35 order to block the bill.
It is the first time a section 35 order has been used.
Alister Jack announced the move this afternoon citing fears over how the gender reform bill would impact UK-wide equality law.
In a statement, he said: “I have decided to make an order under section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998, preventing the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from proceeding to Royal Assent.
“After thorough and careful consideration of all the relevant advice and the policy implications, I am concerned that this legislation would have an adverse impact on the operation of Great Britain-wide equalities legislation.
“Transgender people who are going through the process to change their legal sex deserve our respect, support and understanding. My decision today is about the legislation’s consequences for the operation of GB-wide equalities protections and other reserved matters.
“I have not taken this decision lightly. The Bill would have a significant impact on, amongst other things, GB-wide equalities matters in Scotland, England and Wales. I have concluded, therefore, that this is the necessary and correct course of action.
“If the Scottish Government chooses to bring an amended Bill back for reconsideration in the Scottish Parliament, I hope we can work together to find a constructive way forward that both respects devolution and the operation of UK Parliament legislation.
“I have written today to the First Minister and the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer informing them of my decision.”
Nicola Sturgeon slammed the move as a "full-frontal attack" on democracy and vowed to defend the law.
She posted to Twitter: "This is a full-frontal attack on our democratically elected Scottish Parliament and it's ability to make it's own decisions on devolved matters.
"The Scottish Government will defend the legislation & stand up for Scotland’s Parliament. If this Westminster veto succeeds, it will be first of many."
Ms Sturgeon previously insisted it would be an “outrage” for the UK Government to seek to block Scotland’s gender self-ID plan, as she accused ministers of using trans people as a “political weapon”.
The First Minister vowed to “vigorously” defend the legislation, which was passed by Holyrood last month.
Tonight Douglas Ross backed the UK Government's move to block the gender reform bill.
The Scottish Tory leader blasted the legislation and said it "seriously damages the rights of women".
The MP for Moray added that Nicola Sturgeon had "rushed" the bill through the Scottish Parliament and that "a majority of voters" are against the reforms.
The Bill aims to allow anyone aged 16 or over to change sex on their birth certificate in a six-month process, simply by signing a legal declaration.
But in the rest of the UK, the current rules will still apply with a legal change only granted to over 18s with a medical diagnosis, after two-years living in a new gender.
Speaking during a press conference on NHS pressures, Ms Sturgeon said: “We will absolutely, robustly and rigorously, and with a very, very, very high degree of confidence, defend the legislation.”
The Nats leader claimed it would be a “political decision” to challenge the Bill.
However, a UK Government source branded her claims as “completely wrong”.
The Bill passed in the week before Christmas after years of parly feuds over the issue – and despite polling showing most Scots object.
Backers hailed the Bill as a major step forward for trans people, arguing it will reduce their torment compared to the current two-year process for ages 18 and over where a medical diagnosis is needed.
But furious critics warn it could lead to predators accessing female-only spaces and are angry about male-bodied people legally becoming women.
A series of proposed changes to the law – including a ban on those Awaiting trial for sex attacks changing gender – were narrowly rejected in a marathon two-day Holyrood session leading up to the final vote.
YouGov polling last month found 60 per cent are opposed to plans to remove the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria before allowing people to change the sex on their birth certificate.
The poll for the Times Scotland showed just 20 per cent of voters were In favour of the controversial change, with 20 per cent unsure.
It also found the plan to lower the age threshold from 18 to 16 met with even greater opposition, with 66 per cent against, 21 per cent in Favour, and 13 per cent unsure.
And 59 per cent were against shortening the time limit from two years to six months, compared to 21 per cent in favour, and 20 per cent who were unsure.
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