Court of Session decision on the Gender Recognition Reform Bill and Section 35 Scotland Act 1998 appeal

That this House notes the outcome of the Court of Session’s decision that the Secretary of State for Scotland’s use of the provision set out in Section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 was lawful; further notes that this was the first use of Section 35 since devolution; regrets that the Scottish Parliament brought forward legislation that was so fundamentally flawed that it provided the UK Government an opportunity to mount their successful lawful challenge on a devolved matter; recognises the views of women across Scotland that the Gender Recognition Reform Bill as proposed presented a risk to the safety, privacy and dignity of women and girls; further recognises that such concerns were repeatedly dismissed as invalid; expresses concern that the Scottish Government has spent significant parliamentary time and, more recently, public funds on legal costs in its attempt to deliver this widely unpopular legislation; agrees that while decisions about Scotland should be for the people of Scotland to decide this can best be achieved when Scotland becomes an independent country; and calls on the Scottish Government to halt any further legal action and to dispose of any intention to progress the Gender Recognition Reform Bill and other associated legislation.