Scotland secretary Alister Jack acknowledged using the power was a 'significant decision', but denied it was trying to prevent Holyrood from making its own legislation.
, with Mr Jack confirming he would lay a section 35 order to prevent the legislation from being sent to the King for royal assent - the final stage before a bill becomes law.It is the first time the UK government has used such an order since power was devolved to Scotland 25 years ago and it, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon calling it"a full-frontal attack" on democracy and claiming UK ministers were"using trans people as a political weapon".
She pledged to"defend the legislation and stand up for Scotland's parliament", adding:"If this Westminster veto succeeds, it will be first of many." The bill itself would have lowered the age people could apply to change their gender to 16, removed the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria for a gender recognition certificate , and reduced the time an applicant needs to live in their acquired gender.
While it had been welcomed by equality campaigners, UK ministers feared it may lead to gender tourism and that people who change gender in Scotland would have a different legal status when they are in the rest of the UK.
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