Trans rights campaigners lose bid to overturn ban on prescribing puberty-blocking drugs to kids

TRANS rights campaigners yesterday lost their bid to overturn a ban on prescribing puberty-blocking drugs to children.

Their challenge to an emergency order outlawing the super-strong hormones for under-18s was thrown out by a High Court judge.

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Campaign group TransActual and a private claimant argued the rule was unlawful and put young patients at risk.

This was despite a review by Dr Hilary Cass finding there was not enough evidence that they were safe or effective for children.

But Mrs Justice Lang ruled that the Department of Health was “entitled to rely upon the precautionary principle”.

She added: “The review’s findings about the very substantial risks and very narrow benefits associated with the use of puberty blockers amounted to powerful scientific evidence.”

The order was brought in by the Tory government and upheld by Health Secretary Wes Streeting .

He welcomed the decision, saying: “Children’s healthcare must be evidence-led.”

TransActual’s Chay Brown said: “This is disappointing.

“We are seriously concerned about the welfare of young trans people .”