Gender Bill legal challenge will be ‘very difficult’, Scottish ministers told

Lord Sumption, a former Supreme Court justice, said the Scottish Government’s case is ‘arguable’, but ‘weak’.

The Bill aims to simplify and speed up the process for a trans person to be legally recognised in their preferred gender (PA) (PA Wire)

The Scottish Government’s legal challenge against the blocking of controversial gender recognition reforms will be “very difficult”, a former Supreme Court justice has said.

First Minister Humza Yousaf confirmed on Wednesday that a judicial review is to be sought after the UK Government stopped the Bill, and Lord Sumption warned the “Scottish Government’s legal position is arguable, but I think it is weak”.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack used powers under Section 35 of the Scotland Act to prevent the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which was passed by MSPs late last year, from gaining royal assent.