Portrait of the week: Sunak vs Sturgeon, Nepal plane crash and Mexico bans smoking on beaches

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The government prevented the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, passed by the Scottish parliament, from proceeding to royal assent, under Section 35 of the Scotland Act, because of its ‘serious adverse impact’ on the operation of the Equality Act 2010. It was blocked by a statutory instrument laid before parliament by the Scottish Secretary, Alister Jack. The Scottish National party leader in the Commons, Stephen Flynn, called opponents to the bill ‘rabid gammon’. Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, sought judicial review. Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, had visited Scotland a few days before to help some Sea Scouts toast marshmallows and to have dinner with Ms Sturgeon. Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour party, said he had concerns about the bill too, ‘in particular the age reduction to 16’ and the rejection of ‘our amendment in relation to the Equalities Act’.