A senior Labour MSP has accused Keir Starmer of undermining the Scottish party after criticising gender recognition reforms passed by Holyrood.
Monica Lennon said she was “very disappointed” with the UK Labour leader and urged him to be "better briefed" on areas debated in the Scottish Parliament.
The UK Government yesterday confirmed it will stop Holyrood legislation which makes it simpler for trans people to change gender to receive Royal Assent.
The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was supported by an overwhelming majority of MSPs, including by Labour.
But over the weekend Starmer criticised the planned reduction in the age at which someone can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) from 18 to 16.
This was despite the change having the support of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
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.”
Pressed on whether he thinks someone of 16 is old enough to decide to change their gender, he replied: “No, I don’t think you are.”
Starmer was also asked whether he would block the Scottish legislation if he was prime minister. He said he wanted to wait to see what legal advice the UK Government had received.
Lennon, who stood for the Scottish Labour leadership, hit out at Starmer.
She said: "I was very disappointed with Keir Starmer's comments at the weekend on the GRR legislation, which was passed overwhelmingly by the Scottish Parliament and which improves the lives of trans people.
"The Bill was also supported by the Labour group of MSPs, who supported lowering the age threshold from 18 to 16. His comments have undermined Scottish Labour and are unhelpful in terms of the wider debate on equalities.
"Keir needs to be better briefed before he talks about issues debated extensively by the Scottish Parliament.”
The Labour Campaign for LGBT+ Rights in Scotland tweeted in response: "She's right."
SNP MSP Paul McLennan said: “Monica Lennon’s verdict on Keir Starmer is damning and I expect she is one of many in the Labour party who are utterly dismayed by their Leader’s stance.
“Will he stand up for devolution and trans rights or will he fall in behind the Tories as usual? If the latter then Labour can never again portray themselves as a party of devolution or democracy."
Meanwhile, Downing Street has said the UK Government cannot accept any gender recognition law amended by the Scottish Parliament if it has “a significant impact” on UK-wide equalities matters.
Asked whether a revised legislation can be accepted if the age at which people can choose their gender is changed from 16, Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said:
“I think it’s important to emphasise, rather than focusing on the single issue of age, this is about the legislation having an adverse impact on equality legislation as a whole.
“Now, as the Scottish Secretary has said, we encouraged the Scottish Parliament to bring forward an amended Bill as a constructive way forward and obviously we’d be happy to have those discussions."
The Government’s position is that 18 “is the correct age” for people to change their gender, the official said.
Scottish Labour’s response yesterday to the UK Government decision was in the name of MP Ian Murray.
He criticised the Scottish and UK Governments and urged both administrations to “get round the table” and find workable solutions to “legitimate concerns”.
Labour have been contacted.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
