Sex bill fast-track rejected

Labour backbencher Rhoda Grant, who is proposing the move, had argued she should be allowed to skip the initial public consultation stage for the legislation since there had already been consultation on a similar proposal in 2010.

However, Holyrood’s justice committee ruled there must be a fresh consultation because Ms Grant’s Bill was more narrowly focused than that forward by former MSP Trish Godman.

In a letter to Ms Grant, committee convener Christine Grahame said: “The committee took the view that more consultation is needed in order to demonstrate that all major stakeholders have been given a clear opportunity to express a view on the specific aim that you are pursuing.”