PM accused of “moral failing” for delay in banning ‘conversion therapy’
Rishi Sunak has been accused of failing victims of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ as survivors continue to wait for legislation banning it.
In an open letter sent to both the Prime Minister and the equalities minister Kemi Badenoch on 17 July, a number of senior parliamentarians, religious leaders, medical professionals, human rights leaders and prominent LGBTQ+ voices called on the government to fulfil its promise of outlawing the harmful practice. “Not only has the delay damaged the lives of countless vulnerable LGBT+ victims, it has also emboldened perpetrators to act with impunity,” part of the letter, seen by GAY TIMES, said. “In the five years since the UK government announced its positive intention to end these abusive practices, many other governments around the world have acted swiftly to do so.
Why have we not learnt from them, but instead sought to obfuscate and delay? “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.” Its signatories include Caroline Nokes, a Conservative MP who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee, Iain Anderson, Stonewall’s Chair of Trustees, Leni Morris, the CEO of LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity Galop, Dilwar Hussain, Co-Chair of the Global Interfaith Commission on LGBTQ+ Lives and Professor Ilias Trispiotis, Professor of Human Rights Law at the University of Leeds, among dozens of others. The ban is reportedly awaiting sign off from the Prime Minister The letter
