Holyrood’s gender recognition reform Bill was passed last year after overwhelming support from MSPs.
The legislation, while controversial, had the noble aim of making the lives of trans people better by simplifying the process to change gender. So the Scottish Government’s decision to challenge the Tory Government’s vetoing of the Bill is understandable.
However, Humza Yousaf has gone down a dangerous path by going to court and it is far from clear what the end game will be for his government. Legitimate concerns were raised during the parliamentary process about bad actors such as sex offenders exploiting the new system for their own criminal ends.
The possible negative impact of self-ID was then thrust into the public domain with the case of prisoner Isla Bryson. So while defending devolution from Tory attacks is a worthwhile cause, the failure to pause the Bill last year was a mistake.
A courtroom battle will make for great headlines but it is no substitute for both Governments agreeing an out of court compromise. The cost of a long-running legal dispute should also worry the Scottish Government.
Legal experts fear it could take at least 18 months to resolve, which if borne out could leave the taxpayer with a massive bill during a cost of living crisis.
Handing lawyers shed loads of cash could be avoided if the Scottish and UK Governments published their legal advice. This would result in the public knowing who has the best case and hopefully leading to one side pulling out.
This mess needs to be sorted in a grown-up way that does not hit the public purse hard.
Dog owners need to be responsible
Scotland is a nation of dog lovers. But the latest data suggests that since Covid, a new generation of owners have not been as responsible as they should.
The Record has told repeatedly of attacks of children, pensioners and on other dogs. Some shocking injuries have occurred because owners have lost control of their pets
Councils are also fielding many calls about general noise nuisance and damage caused by dogs that have never been socialised responsibly by owners. The Scottish Government should heed the growing calls for a national register that classified dogs via DNA.
And every Scot who considers bringing a dog into their homes should face serious consequences if they allow their pet to cause misery in the lives of others.
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