Penny Mordaunt under pressure as Tories set to scrap ban on gay conversion therapy
Penny Mordaunt is under mounting pressure, as the Government is expected to ditch plans to ban gay conversion therapy.
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Penny Mordaunt is under mounting pressure, as the Government is expected to ditch plans to ban gay conversion therapy.
The Leader of the House of Commons wrote to campaigners in March promising that the draft legislation will be published for scrutiny before the parliamentary session concluded.
She said the Government planned to change the law in the King's Speech in November.
But yesterday, Mordaunt dodged answering questions about whether the commitment to ban the practice will still be met.
Mordaunt dodged answering questions about whether the commitment to ban the practice will still be met.
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A Government source told the Mail that the likelihood of achieving a ban for the General Election is "not looking good".
While Mordaunt said the practices are "abhorrent and sometimes have lifelong impacts", she did not commit to bringing forward a draft bill.
There are said to be concerns among Government ministers that the ban could have "unintended consequences" for parents, carers and teachers of trans children.
Campaigners have voiced concerns that, if the ban is not worded appropriately, it could leave teachers or parents open to court action if they try to help them make sense of their gender, or tell children not to use opposite-sex toilets.
LGBTQ+ charity published a report which showed that nearly 20 per cent of LGBTQ+ people in the UK have been subjected to someone trying to change, "cure" or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity.
They found that there is "signfiicant harm" associated with conversion therapy, including a "higher risk of depression, post-traumatic stress, suicidal ideation and increased risk of suicide attempts".
The campaign groups CEO said: "We know that this trauma can negatively affect a person for an entire lifetime and forever shape the way they view and express their identity.
"These findings should urgently inform the Government’s plan to ban conversion practices to ensure that no further members of our community are subjected to this abuse. It’s imperative that this ban has no loopholes, and protects the whole community, as our research found that trans and non-binary people are more likely to experience abuse and violence based on their identity."
Earlier this summer, senior Conservative MPs, including Caroline Nokes and Elliot Colburn, wrote a joint letter to Rishi Sunak accusing the Government of a “moral failing” for delaying the ban.
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Senior Conservative MPs wrote a joint letter to Rishi Sunak accusing the Government of a “moral failing”
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They said: "Not only has the delay damaged the lives of countless vulnerable LGBT+ victims, it has also emboldened perpetrators to act with impunity.
"Protecting vulnerable people from abuse should be a primary aim of any democracy.
"We therefore urge you to fulfil your promise and publish the long-awaited legislation immediately.
"It is time to end these unethical, harmful and ineffective practices that have been condemned by religious leaders and by medical, psychiatric, psychological and healthcare professionals worldwide".
If you're struggling with your mental health, you can visit the Samaritans website here or call them on 116 123.