Proposed conversion therapy ban creates ‘thought crime’ offence, peers warn

A proposed law to ban conversion therapy is “dangerous” and would create a “thought crime” offence, peers have claimed.

It would become an offence in the UK for any person to practise, or to offer to practise, conversion therapy linked to sexual orientation and gender identity under a Private Member’s Bill tabled by Liberal Democrat Baroness Burt of Solihull.

Lady Burt said her Bill is needed as Government efforts to introduce a ban have stalled and insisted her proposal would not criminalise “open conversations in any way” but instead protect LGBT+ people from harm.

But the draft legislation split peers, with some