Liz Truss wants to block Scotland’s urgent reform of gender recognition laws, including self-ID
New UK prime minister Liz Truss. (Leon Neal/Getty)
Liz Truss is reportedly trying to stop Scotland from introducing self-identification for trans people.
The new UK prime minister has asked lawyers to help “pause or prevent” the Scottish government from reforming its Gender Recognition Act (GRA), two whistleblowers told Vice World News.
Under the GRA in its current form, trans people must be able to prove they have been living in their correct gender for a period of time before being granted legal gender recognition.
The act also requires trans people to undergo invasive medical and psychiatric assessments. During Truss’ tenure as minister for women and equalities, planned gender recognition reforms were scrapped.
The Scottish government has pushed ahead with reform that would simplify and streamline the process – but Truss is now trying to block planned changes, whistleblowers have claimed.
Fears Scotland’s gender recognition reform could be ‘undone’ by Liz Truss
One whistleblower told Vice World News that they are worried Scotland’s “great trans equality work will be undone” by Truss.
The whistleblowers claimed Truss is worried trans people from England, Wales and Northern Ireland would be able to travel to Scotland to get a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) before returning to where they actually live.
Campaigners called on Liz Truss to “eliminate monkeypox in the UK”. (Getty)
“She is furious about what Scotland pushing ahead with this plan could do to women’s rights in the rest of the UK, but she is concerned for Scotland too,” one whistleblower said.
"Liz Truss is blocking trans rights"
Exclusive: The new UK Prime Minister is trying to stop the Scottish government’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill – which would simplify how trans people change their legal sex… https://t.co/WAqaBnLbtV
— Ben Hunte (@BenInLDN) September 7, 2022
When approached with the whistleblowers’ claims, an equalities office spokesperson told Vice World News: “The government is working with Scottish counterparts and other stakeholders to explore the considerations of the bill and any implications for England and Wales.
This is a devolved issue, and it would show complete disrespect for Scotland’s parliament and democracy for the new UK prime minister to try to stop this Scottish Parliament bill just because she disagrees with it.
“Part of this involves seeking legal advice on the potential impacts of the Scottish bill on the rights of residents of the rest of the United Kingdom. We will continue to closely monitor the progress of the bill, analysing its implications where necessary.”
In a Twitter thread, the Scottish Trans Alliance said the news was “concerning”.
“This is a devolved issue, and it would show complete disrespect for Scotland’s parliament and democracy for the new UK prime minister to try to stop this Scottish Parliament bill just because she disagrees with it,” the Scottish Trans Alliance said.
“That would seriously undermine the devolution settlement that has been in place for more than 20 years as the settled will of the people in Scotland.”
It’s obviously concerning to read today’s VICE story that the new UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, has sought legal advice to try and ‘pause or prevent’ reform of the Gender Recognition Act in Scotland. (1/11)https://t.co/1oUlZhtcnX— Scottish Trans (@ScottishTrans) September 7, 2022
That was echoed by SNP MP John Nicolson, who said: “Liz Truss should focus on cleaning up the mess her chaotic government has created at Westminster, rather than interfering with progressive Scottish government business over which she has no remit.”
PinkNews has contacted the equalities office and Downing Street for comment.
