Labour MSP accuses Keir Starmer of 'undermining' Scottish party over gender reform criticism

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A senior Labour MSP has accused Keir Starmer of undermining the Scottish party after criticising gender recognition reforms passed by Holyrood.Monica Lennon said she was “very disappointed” with the UK Labour leader and urged him to be "better briefed" on areas debated in the Scottish Parliament.The UK Government yesterday confirmed it will stop Holyrood legislation which makes it simpler for trans people to change gender to receive Royal Assent.The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was supported by an overwhelming majority of MSPs, including by Labour.But over the weekend Starmer criticised the planned reduction in the age at which someone can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) from 18 to 16.This was despite the change having the support of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.Starmer said: “I have concerns about the provision in Scotland, in particular the age reduction to 16 and in particular the rejection of our amendment in relation to the Equalities Act.”Pressed on whether he thinks someone of 16 is old enough to decide to change their gender, he replied: “No, I don’t think you are.”Starmer was also asked whether he would block the Scottish legislation if he was prime minister.

He said he wanted to wait to see what legal advice the UK Government had received.Lennon, who stood for the Scottish Labour leadership, hit out at Starmer.She said: "I was very disappointed with Keir Starmer's comments at the weekend on the GRR legislation, which was passed overwhelmingly by the Scottish Parliament and which improves the lives of trans people."The Bill was also supported by the Labour group of MSPs, who supported lowering the age threshold from 18 to 16.