KEIR Starmer has been accused of repeating Tory talking points on gender reform in Scotland.
This comes after the Labour leader said he has “concerns” over Scotland’s gender recognition law.
The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) bill will allow trans people to change their gender on official documents without the need for medical diagnosis.
The bill passed last month after three days of marathon debate which was subject to constant filibustering from the Scottish Conservatives.
Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Starmer said: “I have concerns about the provision in Scotland, in particular the age reduction to 16 and in particular the rejection of our amendment in relation to the Equalities Act.
“But across the whole of the area, I think we should modernise the law.
“I think we need a respectful debate that recognises the different arguments that are being made. At the moment, this is being treated as a political football from start to finish and I don’t think that actually advances the cause of anyone.”
Downing Street is understood to be considering legal advice on the impact of the bill before deciding whether or not to block it.
Asked about these plans, Starmer said: “The government has floated some ideas about what it might do.
“We haven’t seen that yet. I think they are taking more legal advice, so I’ll wait and see what the government actually says in relation to that.”
Asked what he would do regarding the legislation were he prime minister, Starmer simply repeated a version of his original answer.
Starmer said: “Well that was a matter for Scottish Labour. I’m telling you what the position is in relation to the whole Labour party.
“Our position is we want to modernise the legislation and to make sure that some of the indignities that are there in the process are taken out of the process.”
Meanwhile, appearing on BBC’s Sunday Show, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said that plans to block GRR law was an “outrage”.
Asked if it was reasonable to discuss the potential impact of legislation with the UK Government, Flynn said: “It’s not reasonable at all in any way shape or form. It is a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Parliament has determined its position.
“We elect members to the Scottish Parliament to create legislation, to put in place laws to enhance the lives of people in Scotland.
“The GRR is going to do just that. What we have is a right-wing, UK Conservative government which is seeking to roll back on the democratic powers of the Scottish Parliament, that’s an outrage.”
Deeply irresponsible comments from Starmer, spreading easily disproven misinformation about the bill. Every bit of misinformation about this bill puts trans people at further risk of abuse. He has no respect for trans people and no respect for Scotland's democracy. https://t.co/FzlV2zxK6Y
— Ellie Gomersall 🍉 (@elliebgomersall) January 15, 2023
Flynn added that Labour and Conservative MSPs who voted in favour of the bill should also recognise the UK Government is “overstepping” the mark.
When pressed on how a clash between governments would further the indepence cause, Flynn said he would rather there was "no clash" when it came to dealing with the lives of trans people.
Elsewhere, Scottish Greens equalities spokesperson Maggie Chapman said Starmer’s comments were a “shameful intervention”.
She said: “He is repeating toxic Tory points and legitimising the views of a hostile and anti-trans government that is threatening to overrule the Scottish Parliament.
“This is also an issue of democracy. Starmer is ignoring the views of the vast majority of the Scottish Parliament, including the Labour MSPs who rightly backed the Bill.
“The message that he is sending is that trans rights are not safe under Labour and nor is devolution. A lot of people in Scotland will never forgive him if he lines up with the Tories to block what is a small but important step for equality.
“Under his short tenure, Starmer has ditched almost every policy that Labour members elected him on. Whether it is his new-found support for Brexit, his U-turns on public ownership or his hostility to devolution, it is clear that he cannot be trusted.”
