A whistleblower has cautioned that Labour's proposed conversion therapy ban could have been used to suppress revelations of scandals at the NHS gender clinic for children, formerly located at the Tavistock center. Dr. David Bell, a psychiatrist whose work was instrumental in exposing the clinic's practices, stated that the legislation, if enacted previously, could have been a "serious threat to those who raised the alarm."
Dr. Bell expressed concern that the ban might be interpreted as a mandate to "affirm" children who identify as the opposite sex, rather than encouraging challenges to their identity. He argued that this affirmation approach, which he and others found damaging and which was later confirmed by the Cass review, could lead parents, carers, and healthcare professionals to fear legal repercussions for not affirming a child's gender identity.
These comments emerge as Britain's former equalities watchdog described the draft Conversion Practices Bill as "ill-conceived and unworkable." It has also been reported that company directors, in addition to parents, could face prosecution under the law, which aims to criminalize attempts to change a person's sexuality or gender identity. The implementation of the ban is projected to cost businesses and the public sector £100 million.
In response to concerns, Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson told LBC that the proposed legislation would not prevent parents from having "reasonable conversations with their children." She also noted that the draft bill is currently under parliamentary scrutiny to allow for further considerations.
Meanwhile, Jayne Ozanne, a leading campaigner for the ban and founder of the Ban Conversion Therapy coalition, has urged for the legislation to extend to include "insidious" prayer, arguing the current threshold requiring demonstrable abuse is too high. She stated that the bill should send a clear societal signal that praying for someone to change their gender identity is wrong, drawing a parallel to theft, where the severity of the stolen item does not negate the act of stealing.
A government spokesperson affirmed that the draft bill targets specific abusive practices while safeguarding freedom of expression, including for religious leaders. The spokesperson emphasized that LGBT+ individuals should not face coercion or abuse to change their identity and that the ban respects freedom of belief, a sentiment echoed by various religious groups who have welcomed the draft legislation.