UK to bill Scottish Government for £150,000 gender battle legal fees

The UK intends to bill the Scottish Government for the around £150,000 in legal costs incurred during the court battle over controversial gender reforms.

Scottish secretary Alister Jack said the UK Government will seek reimbursement for defending its decision to block the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Earlier this month, Jack told a Westminster committee he was “minded” to do so but confirmed on Wednesday that an application would be lodged with the court.

Taxpayers have already shelled out £230,000 for costs on the Scottish Government’s side of the argument.

It comes as the Scottish Government confirmed it would not appeal the Court of Session’s ruling that Jack acted lawfully when he blocked the gender legislation.

“I welcome the Scottish Government’s acceptance of the court’s judgment,” Jack said, “which upheld my decision to prevent their gender recognition legislation from becoming law.

“The Scottish Government chose to pursue this litigation in spite of the cost to the taxpayer.

“These resources would have been better spent addressing the priorities of people in Scotland – such as growing the economy, cutting NHS waiting lists and improving our children’s education.

“The UK Government now intends to lodge an application with the court seeking our expenses in defending this matter.”

Speaking to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, Scotland’s social justice secretary said despite its decision to scrap any legal challenge over the bill it won’t withdraw the legislation.

Shirley Anne-Somerville said she would instead shelve the plans for now in the hopes that Scottish ministers could work with a future UK Government to rescind the Section 35 order used by Jack.

The Scottish secretary became the first in history to use the order which gives the UK Government the power to override the Scottish Parliament.

Jack argued that the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill intruded on reserved matters because it adversely affected UK-wide equality laws.