A senior SNP MSP has predicted Humza Yousaf\u2019s Government will be humiliated in the court battle over their gender recognition reforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ash Regan, who contested the recent SNP leadership contest, also said the legislation is \u201cdeeply unpopular\u201d and that going to court will cost a \u201cvast\u201d amount of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, approved by MSPs in December, simplifies the process for trans people to change their gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But critics believe the “self-ID” law poses a threat to women and girls and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack used Section 35 of the original devolution legislation to block it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a legal deadline looming, Social Justice Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced yesterday the Government would pursue a judicial review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the GRR debate has divided the SNP and those tensions are continuing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regan, who quit Nicola Sturgeon’s Government over the GRR Bill, tweeted: \u201cThe decision to challenge the Section 35 will result in a humiliating defeat. The GRR is deeply unpopular amongst Scottish voters and court action will cost a vast amount of taxpayers money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also said of the SNP shedding tens of thousands of members: \u201cLosing 30k party members over this policy means it\u2019s time for a re-think.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex Salmond\u2019s pro-independence Alba party is also opposed to the court challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salmond said: \u201cHumza Yousaf should be taking on Westminster on self-determination, not taking on the Scottish people on self-identification. He has embarked on the ultimate lose\/lose gambit. If he loses the case, he is humiliated by Westminster. If he wins it, he loses with the Scottish people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Somerville said yesterday: “To uphold the democratic decision of the Parliament, and ensure proper protection of devolution, Scottish Ministers will now lodge a petition for judicial review of the Secretary of State\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A senior SNP MSP has predicted Humza Yousaf\u2019s Government will be humiliated in the court battle over their gender recognition reforms. Ash Regan, who contested the recent SNP leadership contest, also said the legislation is \u201cdeeply unpopular\u201d and that going to court will cost a \u201cvast\u201d amount of money. The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":412,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[12],"class_list":["post-410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-scottish-politics","tag-featured"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n