Scottish Government in court over legal definition of 'woman'

The Scottish Government is being to taken to court for attempting to include men who identify as women in the legal definition of 'woman' in legislation.

Earlier this year, a judge ruled that ministers should not have "conflated" women and "trans women" in a Scottish law promoting gender balance on public boards.

Campaign group For Women Scotland, which launched the initial legal challenge, was not satisfied with how the government had revised legislation following the ruling.

For Women Scotland argues that the Ministers are still "confusing" two protected characteristics and "trying to redefine 'woman' yet again".

The group's lawyer Aidan O'Neill KC argued that obtaining a gender recognition certificate should not "result in a change of sex for the purposes of the Equality Act".

He said if it did, it would "run a coach and horses through the preservation of safe spaces for women and single-sex provision for women under the Equality Act".

Today, children's author JK Rowling accused Nicola Sturgeon of prioritising the views of lobby groups over the Scottish public by pursuing a radical trans agenda.

The Scottish Government is also pursuing a change in the law that would allow people aged 16 and above in Scotland to legally change sex via self-declaration.

These plans have drawn criticism from a wide range of groups including doctors, lawyers, women campaigners, religious organisations and parents.

Writing on Twitter, Rowling said: “Nicola Sturgeon continues to ignore public opposition and seeks to push through the Gender Recognition Reform Bill.

"The polling is clear: this bill is not supported by the public...the First Feminist remains determined to undermine the sex-based rights of Scottish girls and women".