AN SNP MP wrote a letter to Scottish Secretary Alister Jack asking him to find a "resolution" to Scotland's gender reform legislation on the same day he blocked the bill, it has emerged.
Dr Lisa Cameron (East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow) personally wrote to the Tory minister saying that her constituents hoped the UK Government would "intervene" to ensure the bill did not have an impact on equality rights for women.
Last week, Jack issued a never-used-before Section 35 order to stop the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from receiving royal assent. Royal assent must be given to a bill for it to become law.
The reforms would have made it easier for trans people in Scotland to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC).
READ MORE: UK should be able to block ANY Scottish bill, Tory voters say
But the UK Government and some women's groups raised concerns the bill could impact UK-wide equality laws.
The revelation, first reported by the Daily Record, comes after Nicola Sturgeon branded the Tory block on the bill a "full-frontal attack on the Scottish Parliament" and accused the Conservatives of stoking a "culture war" on the issue.
On January 17, after Jack had announced plans for the Section 35 order, Cameron wrote to him: “I have been asked to write to you by a number of my constituents who are concerned regarding the impact of gender-self ID on equality rights for women in Scotland and across the UK.
"They wish the UK Government to intervene to prevent this.”
The SNP MP added: “This is an extremely sensitive matter, and I would be hopeful that a resolution can be found that addresses my constituents’ concerns whilst not undermining the devolution settlement.”
An SNP source told the Daily Record: "SNP MPs should be focused on defending the Scottish Parliament from the latest attack by the UK Government, not egging on Alister Jack as he oversteps the mark."
The SNP has been approached for comment.
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