RISHI Sunak has been warned that Tory opponents of so-called conversion therapy could try to force a ban through the UK Parliament as legislation seems set to be downgraded.
Whitehall sources indicated that the long-promised ban will not be included in the King’s Speech on Tuesday, meaning it is unlikely to become law before the next election.
Supporters of a ban argue that the practice of attempting to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity is damaging to LGBT+ people.
But the Prime Minister appears to have backed down after intense lobbying by some of his MPs who argue a law could criminalise parents or teachers who give advice to children.
But Elliot Colburn, a Tory MP who has campaigned for the practice to be outlawed, warned it is “not the end of the road” and threatened to take action in the Commons.
He said that rebels could seek to amend different legislation, such as a law and order bill, to call for a ban to protect gay and transgender people.
Colburn told press: “Not to deliver on it would be absolutely appalling.
“The Government had the opportunity to grab the bull by the horns and get this done. And now they’re essentially going to have to let Parliament do it. We’re looking at every possible opportunity and we’re definitely not going to let this drop.”
He believes a “massive majority” of the Tory party are on his side, but others including Miriam Cates have put pressure on the Prime Minister to drop the legislation.
Alicia Kearns, the Tory MP who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, accused colleagues who oppose a ban of “imprisoning” LGBT+ people in a “cycle of imposed shame and self-hate as you reinforce bigotry”.
Conservative colleague Dehenna Davison added: “It is shameful that, over five years after promising we would deliver a much-needed ban on conversion therapy, it now looks set to be kicked into the long grass.
“How anyone can justify supporting such practices is beyond me.”
A letter to Sunak warning that bringing forward a bill would be “extremely concerning” was said to have garnered more than 40 signatures after being sent to Tory MPs by Ms Cates.
A source in the anti-ban camp said it would be a “brave move” for rebels to try to force through a law while relying on Labour votes.
There are suggestions that the legislation will be downgraded to a draft bill in the King’s Speech setting out a consultation on the issue in an attempt to soothe the anger of campaigners.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission wrote to women and equalities minister Kemi Badenoch last month to insist the ban is “needed” and should be in the Speech setting out the Government’s legislative priorities.
Theresa May first promised to eradicate the practice in 2018, before it was downgraded to not include transgender people by Boris Johnson.
Sunak’s Government said in January it would ban conversion therapy for “everyone”, including transgender people.
Labour has pledged to introduce a “no loopholes” trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy if elected.
The Government has described the practice as “abhorrent” but said it was “carefully considering this very complex issue”.
