SNP still refuses to ban first-cousin weddings

THE Scottish Government is plotting major changes to laws surrounding marriage — but is still refusing to outlaw first-cousin weddings.

- BY DAVID WALKER

The SNP Executive published a consultation on plans to raise the minimum age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 —as part of a wider overhaul of family law. It could also have been an opportunity to look at banning marriages between first cousins but it has been left out the documents.

While the overall prevalence of first-cousin marriage is low in Western countries, certain diaspora communities, such as Irish travellers and British Pakistanis, have “extremely high rates” of 20 to 40%. Experts have warned about health risks, finding that there is an increased risk of genetic defects in babies born out of these relationships.