by Charles Hymas, Telegraph
Tories in fresh attempt to outlaw practice as MoJ acknowledges ‘serious concerns’
Labour is considering whether to back legislation to ban first cousin marriage in the UK.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) acknowledged that there were “serious concerns” over cousin marriage and said it would “look at” whether outlawing the practice was the best way to tackle it.
A backbench bill is expected to be laid before Parliament in the new year by Dr Luke Evans, the shadow health minister, in a fresh attempt to ban first cousin marriage.
A previous attempt by Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, in a private member’s bill last year failed after being blocked by Sir Keir Starmer’s government.
Mr Holden urged Andy Burnham not to be a “coward” or “unwilling” to back the new proposals for a ban.
The move follows the disclosure by The Telegraph on Monday that a Sudanese migrant had been allowed to stay in the UK after marrying her first cousin, who came to the UK as a refugee.
‘Used to bypass system’
Mr Holden told GB News: “Given cases like this, it’s quite clear to me that first cousin marriage is now being used as a way to try and bypass the normal immigration system, and it’s pretty clear to me that we need to act more swiftly than that.