The UK Government's decision to block a bill which is designed to make life easier for transgender people has been slammed by an MSP representing West Dunbartonshire.

Ross Greer, Scottish Green MSP for the West Scotland region, has called the block by the UK Government "a disgraceful attack on trans people" in the local area after the Scottish Parliament passed the bill.

The Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which removes or reduces the onerous barriers placed on trans people who try to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate.

The move to a self-ID model, used by several other countries, also speeds up the process and reduces the lower age limit to 16.

The legislation was backed by all political parties at Holyrood except the Scottish Conservatives who supported the reforms under Ruth Davidson's leadership.

However, it was announced on Monday, January 16, that Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has now set out his intention to use Section 35 of the Scotland Act to pause the Holyrood reforms over concerns it impacts on UK-wide legislation - which is a first in the 24-year history of the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Jack said that "after thorough and careful consideration of all the relevant advice and the policy implications", he was "concerned that this legislation would have an adverse impact on the operation of Great Britain-wide equalities legislation".

He said: “Transgender people who are going through the process to change their legal sex deserve our respect, support and understanding.

"My decision today is about the legislation’s consequences for the operation of GB-wide equalities protections and other reserved matters."

Mr Jack stressed that he has "not taken this decision lightly".

He added: "The Bill would have a significant impact on, amongst other things, GB-wide equalities matters in Scotland, England and Wales.

"I have concluded, therefore, that this is the necessary and correct course of action.

“If the Scottish Government chooses to bring an amended Bill back for reconsideration in the Scottish Parliament, I hope we can work together to find a constructive way forward that both respects devolution and the operation of UK Parliament legislation."

Section 35 of the Scotland Act states that an intervention can be made if the Secretary of State “has reasonable grounds to believe would have an adverse effect on the operation of the law as it applies to reserved matters”.

If enacted, the Section 35 would need to go through the House of Commons and the Scottish Government is likely to launch a judicial review in the courts to challenge the decision.

Mr Greer said: “This is a disgraceful attack on trans people in West Dunbartonshire and beyond. It is also an attack on our parliament and Scottish democracy. It should concern everyone who believes that the parliament elected by the people of Scotland must be able to make decisions which are clearly within its powers.

“Last month MSPs of all political persuasions voted overwhelmingly for gender recognition reform. It was a proud day for equality.

"The current process for obtaining a GRC is expensive, intrusive and takes far, far too long. This bill would simplify the process and afford trans people the dignity they deserve in important paperwork such as marriage and death certificates.

“To see a reactionary Tory government trying to block or overturn it is nothing short of outrageous, and we will resist them every step of the way. Our Parliament will stand with Scotland’s LGBTQ community against this Westminster attack.

“This bill was the most well scrutinised in the history of the Scottish Parliament, and came after two public consultations and six years of debate. 

“What message does it send when Downing Street is prepared to ignore this in order to pursue its toxic culture wars and distract from its many failings?

“The last few months have been particularly distressing for trans people in West Dunbartonshire. They’ve had to bear the brunt of some of the most despicable political attacks in recent memory. 

“I will always stand with the trans community. My Green colleagues and I will do all that we can to deliver this long overdue reform and defeat this increasingly extremist Westminster government."