Scottish Government to review gender policies after Supreme Court setback
The SNP stated that they do not have any intentions to reintroduce the controversial Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, also known as the self-ID bill, following a recent ruling that highlighted the misapplication of the law around equalities by the government.
After the Supreme Court defeat over the definition of a woman, the Scottish Government has promised to review its gender policies. However, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville informed MSPs on Tuesday that she is uncertain about the timeline for issuing new guidance on single-sex spaces.
The ruling by the UK Supreme Court on April 16 clarified that the 2010 Equality Act defines “woman” and “sex” based on biological sex only, excluding trans-identifying men from being legally regarded as women under the act, regardless of possessing a gender recognition certificate (GRC).
Somerville mentioned that the government will revise guidance for public bodies in Scotland, such as the NHS, but preferred to consult with the UK-wide Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) first.
She emphasized that the Scottish Government fully accepts the ruling of the UK’s highest court, which highlights the misapplication of the law around equalities by the SNP over the years in treating trans-identifying individuals as the opposite sex.
Westminster Blocked Self-ID Bill
Somerville confirmed that the SNP does not have any plans to revive the self-ID bill, which aimed to enable individuals aged 16 and above to legally change their gender without requiring a GRC. The bill was prevented by Westminster due to the non-devolution of equalities law.
In response to the government’s statement, the Scottish Conservatives urged the SNP to permanently abandon any harmful gender reforms. Party leader Russell Findlay called on First Minister John Swinney to issue a personal apology to women.
Green MSP Defends ‘Appalling’ Remarks
Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman faced criticism for her remarks towards transgender rights protesters in Aberdeen, labeling her comments as “appalling” by the head of the Scottish Faculty of Advocates. Chapman stated that the Supreme Court ruling was being utilized to attack trans individuals’ right to live freely.
Chapman defended her statements and affirmed her stance, despite calls for her resignation from the committee due to her remarks creating a risk of danger to court members.
Starmer ‘Refused to Answer’
The fallout from the Supreme Court ruling extended to Westminster, where Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch engaged in a heated exchange in the House of Commons regarding the definition of a woman. Starmer’s opinions on transgender rights have faced scrutiny, with questions about his views and handling of the issue.
