Overview

• The new Scottish First Minister pledged to challenge the British government's decision to block a law making it easier for Scots to change their gender.
• The British government argued the Scottish law could undermine UK-wide equalities legislation and vetoed it.
• The Scottish bill would allow people 16 and older to change gender with self-declaration, removing the medical diagnosis requirement.
• The First Minister accused Westminster of undermining Scotland's parliament and said a legal challenge is the only way to defend its democracy.
• Opponents claim the First Minister is trying to distract from a financial scandal in his party involving the arrest of his predecessor's husband.