Legal advice is being sought by Westminster over Scottish Government plans to allow people to choose their own legal sex, the UK Cabinet Office has revealed.
A spokesperson for Equality Hub — which works within the Cabinet Office on equality legislation — said the “potential impacts” of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill were being examined.
If passed, the Holyrood Bill would allow Scots as young as 16 to change their legal sex merely by self-declaration.
‘Closely monitor’
The Cabinet Office said: “The government is working with Scottish counterparts and other stakeholders to explore the considerations of the Bill and any implications for England and Wales.
“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.”
Unworkable
In July, the then Attorney General Suella Braverman said: “I think there are incredibly serious implications of what the Scottish government is proposing and I will be considering whether there are constitutional issues.
“Effectively the Scottish parliament, if this is enacted, will be approving a form of self-identification and we will have a two-tier system within the United Kingdom.
“I can’t foresee how that is workable, whereby north of the border, you may be able to self-identify but a bit south of the border that might not be recognised. It is incredibly worrying.”
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