A TORY think tank has set out a possible route for the UK Government to block Scotland’s gender reforms from being given Royal Assent - but will they actually go through with it?
When the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill passed before Christmas, Scotland Secretary Alister Jack immediately said that the UK would “look closely” at the legislation and ministers were considering a Section 35 order.
With previous legislation the Government disagreed with, such as the inclusion of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in Scots law, lawyers took the issue to the Supreme Court. The UNCRC Bill and the draft Referendum Bill were both found to be outwith legislative competence, with the latter being sent back to Holyrood for changes to be made.
