The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities Committee (EHRCJ) is once again under pressure over its biased scrutiny of plans to ban so-called conversion therapy. In a recent letter to a Government Minister, the Committee makes a tacit admission that in holding an oral evidence session with the Government’s ‘Expert Advisory Group’, future scrutiny could be compromised. MSPs… Continue reading Who will scrutinise the scrutineers?
Category: News
Holyrood could waste yet more money after nearly £1m spend on Supreme Court losses
The Scottish Government could waste more taxpayers’ money if it continues pursuing legislation that is beyond its powers. One of Scotland’s best-known KCs advises that proposals for a broad ban on ‘conversion therapy’ are “outside the Parliament’s legislative competence”. The Christian Institute has previously warned the Scottish Government that it will pursue action in the… Continue reading Holyrood could waste yet more money after nearly £1m spend on Supreme Court losses
Stop the bus, I want to get off…
As Holyrood passes its irrational gender self-ID Bill into law, we must recognise this is only one stop on a long and bumpy bus ride. Passing this new law was always going to be a bad move. But it is especially so given both public and professional opinion has turned decisively against the extreme ideology… Continue reading Stop the bus, I want to get off…
Scottish Govt on collision course with courts over conversion therapy plans
A leading human rights lawyer has said that the Scottish Government would be exceeding its legislative powers if it pursues proposals to ban conversion therapy. In an independent legal opinion, top KC Aidan O’Neill says recommendations made by the Government’s own ‘Expert Advisory Group’ are “fundamentally illiberal” and, if adopted, would criminalise innocent parents and… Continue reading Scottish Govt on collision course with courts over conversion therapy plans
Kemi Badenoch: ‘conversion therapy ban demands have widened’
Those calling for a conversion therapy ban have changed what they are asking for since the Government agreed to pursue the legislation four years ago, says Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch MP. Although the Government promised to bring forward a ban while Theresa May was Prime Minister, and since then has repeatedly said the legislation remains… Continue reading Kemi Badenoch: ‘conversion therapy ban demands have widened’
Activists hurry to limit free speech as doctors reject gender ideology
The Australian journalist, Bernard Lane, this weekend wrote of a landmark court case in his own country, in which the judge was being asked to rule over whether a child could receive puberty-blocking drugs. The case settled before it proceeded to a judgement, when an expert witness ‘abruptly withdrew a recommendation of puberty blockers’. This… Continue reading Activists hurry to limit free speech as doctors reject gender ideology
“Almost illegal even to teach traditional Christian teaching” in Victoria, Australia
With only hours to go until the election of a new government in Victoria, Australia, a well-known journalist has branded the current leadership there “the most dedicated and consistent anti-Christian government in Australian history”. Foreign Editor for The Australian, Greg Sheridan, claims that: “In legislation and abusive rhetoric, the Victorian government has acted to restrict… Continue reading “Almost illegal even to teach traditional Christian teaching” in Victoria, Australia
Scottish conversion therapy proposals “human rights encroachment” says senior lawyer
Proposals in the recent Report by the Scottish Government’s ‘Expert Advisory Group’ on banning conversion therapy would encroach on human rights, a senior Australian lawyer has stated. Looking at disastrous laws in his own country which undermine important freedoms, John Steenhof says such Scottish legislation “would outstrip Australian standards of human rights encroachment”. And the… Continue reading Scottish conversion therapy proposals “human rights encroachment” says senior lawyer
Norway’s Director of Public Prosecutions casts doubt on broad conversion therapy ban
Norway’s Director of Public Prosecutions has cast doubt on the Norwegian Government’s plans to ban conversion therapy, suggesting they are pushing the boundaries of what is legally possible. In a consultation response over the proposals, Jørn Sigurd Maurud cites concerns about the removal of ‘consent’ for over-18s and the right to “privacy, freedom of belief… Continue reading Norway’s Director of Public Prosecutions casts doubt on broad conversion therapy ban
New Zealand claim on puberty blockers retracted – too little, too late?
Australian journalist, Bernard Lane, reports that health information for transgender healthcare of children in New Zealand has changed. New Zealand’s Ministry of Health has updated its website to remove the false claim that puberty blocking drugs are “safe and fully reversible”. In a country which has possibly the world’s most liberal laws on ‘gender’, it… Continue reading New Zealand claim on puberty blockers retracted – too little, too late?