Rishi Sunak has denied that Scottish gender laws were blocked as part of a power grab by Westminster.
The Prime Minister said that the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was blocked because it "would have a significant adverse effect on UK-wide equalities matters".
Sunak also said during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday that the Scottish Secretary Alister Jack made the Section 35 order "with regret".
He added later on that the Scottish Parliament "is undeniably one of the most powerful devolved legislatures anywhere in the world" and that he wants "to engage in a dialogue with the Scottish Government to ensure that we can find a constructive way through."
This was the first time that Sunak had spoken about the blocking of the bill since it was announced on Monday.
Jack made a statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday confirming the Section 35 order. This was followed by an emergency debate on the topic.
This is the first time the UK Government has used a Section 35 order to strike down an act of the Scottish Parliament since the devolution era began in 1999.
The Scottish Government is expected to demand a judicial review of the decision.
Sunak was asked by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn during Prime Minister's Questions if he realised "that it is a dangerous moment for devolution when both he and, indeed, the Leader of the Opposition seek to overturn a promise made between Scotland’s politicians and Scotland’s people."
The Prime Minister replied: "Let me be crystal clear: the decision in this case is centred on the legislation’s consequences for reserved matters.
"This is laid out in the Scotland Act 1998, which established the Scottish Parliament — the honourable Gentleman talks about that and, at the time, it was supported by the SNP.
"This Bill would have a significant adverse effect on UK-wide equalities matters, so the Scottish Secretary, with regret, has rightly acted."
Flynn then accused the Conservatives of fighting a "culture war" before asking Sunak if Scotland was "now on a slippery slope from devolution to direct rule".
Flynn said: "Let me be crystal clear. This is the Conservative party seeking to stoke a culture war against some of the most marginalised people in society, and Scotland’s democracy is simply collateral damage.
"On that issue of democracy, let us reflect, because on Monday the UK Government introduced legislation to ban the right to strike, against the express wishes of the Scottish Government; on Tuesday, they introduced legislation to overturn the GRR Bill, against the express wishes of the Scottish Government; and this evening they will seek to put in place legislation that rips up thousands of EU protections, against the express wishes of the Scottish Government.
"Are we not now on a slippery slope from devolution to direct rule?"
Sunak dismissed this and said that the SNP should work with the Conservatives on the bill.
He said: "No, of course we are not [going from devolution to direct rule]. This is simply about protecting UK-wide legislation and ensuring the safety of women and children; it is not about the devolution settlement.
"I urge the honourable Gentleman and his party to consider engaging with the UK Government on the Bill, as we did before the legislation passed, so that we can find a constructive way forward in the interests of the people of Scotland and the United Kingdom."
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