Regan resigns as minister over Gender Recognition Bill
The Scottish Government minister with responsibility for the legal profession and legal aid has resigned over the bill to reform the gender recognition law in Scotland.
Ash Regan stood down as community safety minister ahead of the stage 1 debate on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, when she became one of seven SNP MSPs to vote against the contentious measure.
The bill, which would enable trans people to obtain a gender recognition certificate (“GRC”) if they fulfil certain conditions and without the need for a medical certificate, passed its first vote by 88 to 33, with support from Labour, Green Liberal Democrat and two Conservative MSPs as well as most of the SNP.
Ms Regan wrote in her resignation letter: "I have considered the issue of Gender Recognition Reform very carefully over some time. I have concluded that my conscience will not allow me to vote with the government at the Stage 1 of the Bill this afternoon.
"Consequently, I am writing to resign my position in the Scottish government as minister for community safety. I have greatly valued the opportunity over the last few years to work in government with colleagues to build a better Scotland."
She later tweeted that she believed the legislation "may have negative implications for the safety and dignity of women and girls".
Opening the debate, Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison insisted that “Helping one group to better access their rights does not mean diluting or diminishing the rights of another group. We have set out why the bill will not change the provision of single-sex services or the arrangements with regard to prisons or sport, because none of those is dependent on possession of a GRC.”