A Tory minister has hit out at the Scottish Government over her "concerns" after MSPs passed controversial new gender recognition laws.
Women and equalities minister Kemi Badenoch said the passing of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill has an "impact on the functioning of the Equality Act, which is designed to protect all UK citizens".
MSPs voted to pass the Bill by 86 votes to 39 on Thursday. It will remove the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to obtain a gender recognition certificate (GRC).
It also lowers the minimum age for applicants to 16 and drops the time required for an applicant to live in their acquired gender from two years to three months - six for those aged 16 and 17 - though with a three-month reflection period.
But the passage of the Bill does not clear its path to the statute book, with Scottish Secretary Alister Jack now able to legally challenge the law if he believes it impacts on the UK, while private groups are also able to take legal action should they wish.
Now Badenoch has stepped in to have her say, she tweeted: "Today the SNP passed their gender recognition bill, despite strong opposition from even within their own party, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls and a variety of civic groups in Scotland.
"I share their concerns. Particularly, on this Bill's impact on the functioning of the Equality Act, which is designed to protect all UK citizens.
"The Scottish Government has not addressed the full implications of their bill - especially on the lives of women and girls. The UK Government is now looking at provisions that can prompt reconsideration and allow MSPs to address these issues."
Under the Scotland Act, the UK Government can challenge devolved legislation if it feels it impacts on national security or reserved matters.
Ahead of the debate this week Badenoch met with Scotland's Social Justice secretary Shona Robison where she raised her concerns about the Bill.
After the Bill passed Robison said it was a "significant step forward in creating a more equal Scotland"
She added: "It simplifies and improves the process for a trans person to obtain a gender recognition certificate – which many currently find intrusive, medicalised and bureaucratic.
"The legislation makes no change to the reserved Equality Act 2010 and that principle is enshrined in the Bill. As I have made clear, the Scottish Government continues to support the provision of single-sex services and the rights of women.
"The passing of this bill is a significant step forward in creating a more equal Scotland, where trans people feel valued, included and empowered."
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