UK MP Proposes Ban on First-Cousin Marriages
Richard Holden introduces bill citing health risks and societal concerns as government reviews marriage laws.
- Conservative MP Richard Holden has introduced the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Bill to ban first-cousin marriages in the UK.
- Holden argues that such marriages are linked to a higher rate of birth defects and can perpetuate harmful societal structures, particularly affecting women.
- Current UK law prohibits marriage between siblings, parents, and children, but first-cousin marriages remain legal.
- Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones stated that the government will carefully review marriage laws before announcing its official position on the issue.
- The proposed legislation follows similar actions in other countries and builds on previous efforts to address practices like hymenoplasty and virginity testing.
Evening Standard 