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Ms Duffield faced the onslaught after raising concerns that Scotland\u2019s attempt to make it easier for people to legally change gender would allow men to enter women\u2019s spaces, such as changing rooms. She had to raise her voice to be heard above the noise coming from other MPs, including from her own party\u2019s benches.<\/p>\n
Labour former minister Ben Bradshaw was heading saying she was talking \u201cabsolute rubbish\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ms Duffield later said she had been \u201cshouted down\u201d by Labour men \u201cwho clearly don\u2019t want women to speak up for our rights to single sex spaces\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe protection of single sex spaces for the very most vulnerable women are at stake, so why on earth are Labour colleagues ok with this?\u201d<\/p>\n
The debacle came in a statement by Scottish Secretary Alister Jack confirming the Westminster government will block Holyrood\u2019s gender recognition reform bill because it clashes with UK-wide equality laws.<\/p>\n
He told the Commons Ms Duffield \u201cdeserves a lot of respect for her courage on standing up on this issue”.<\/p>\n
Mr Jack said the government does not intend to veto Scottish Parliament legislation \u201cwhenever it chooses\u201d but the bill would have \u201cserious adverse effects\u201d on existing laws.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time the power has been exercised and I acknowledge that this is a significant decision,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not about preventing the Scottish Parliament from legislating on devolved matters, but about ensuring we do not have legal frameworks in one part of the United Kingdom which have adverse effects on reserved matters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should be clear that this is absolutely not about the United Kingdom Government being able to veto Scottish Parliament legislation whenever it chooses, as some have implied.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe power can only be exercised on specific grounds and the fact that this is the first time it has been necessary to exercise the power in almost 25 years of devolution emphasises that it is not a power to be used lightly.\u201d<\/p>\n
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn labelled some Conservative MPs \u201crabid gammon\u201d as the debate became increasingly heated.<\/p>\n
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there was \u201cno justification\u201d for blocking the bill and warned the legislation would \u201cinevitably end up in court\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ms Sturgeon said: \u201cI can say categorically the Scottish Government will vigorously defend this legislation, but in doing so we will be vigorously defending something else, and that is the institution of the Scottish Parliament, the ability of MSPs \u2013 democratically elected \u2013 to legislate in areas of our competence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn short, we\u2019ll be defending Scottish democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n