Andy Burnham invited to attend cousin marriage ban talks after ‘crazy ECHR case’

Thank you for subscribing!

The Prime Minister is being urged to speak to Shadow Health Minister Dr Luke Evans about banning the practice

Andy Burnham has been told to "do the right thing" and back a ban on first-cousin marriages after a case involving a Sudanese migrant reignited the debate.

The Prime Minister, who was not in power when Labour rejected calls for a ban earlier this year, is now being invited to send ministers to cross-party talks just weeks after a Tory MP launched a Private Member’s Bill to ban first-cousin marriage.

Dr Luke Evans brought his legislation forward for its first reading in the House of Commons on June 17, with the Shadow Health Minister initially citing specific concerns about birth defects.

However, No10 was put under fresh pressure after Isra Abdallah Ibrahim was allowed to remain in the UK with her first cousin when an Upper Tribunal judge ruled their marriage was legitimate.

Despite the Home Office arguing the marriage was arranged to help her join her husband in Britain, the court found refusing her application would violate her rights under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

Speaking to GB News, Dr Evans said: “This case highlights yet another reason why the law needs to change.

"I have already introduced legislation to prohibit marriage, civil partnerships and sexual relationships between first cousins, both because of the serious genetic health risks involved and because our law should be clear about where the boundaries of close family relationships lie.

"This provides an excellent opportunity for the Prime Minister and the Government to work with me to close this loophole.

"I am more than happy to sit down with the PM and his ministers, hammer out the details and deliver a change in the law.

"This should not be about party politics. If the Government is serious about strengthening our immigration system and protecting the health of future generations, there is a Bill already on the table, and I am ready to work with them.”

First-cousin marriage, which was outlawed until Henry VIII broke with Rome in 1540, remains particularly prevalent in the British Pakistani community.

Consanguineous marriage rates stood at 43 per cent among British Pakistanis in inner-city Bradford in 2023.

Research has found children of first-cousin marriages face higher risks of speech and language difficulties, developmental delays and birth defects, with some studies suggesting they are twice as likely to suffer from a birth defect.

Sir Keir Starmer consistently rejected calls for a ban on the practice while serving as Prime Minister.

Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden put pressure on the then-Prime Minister to back his proposed ban on cousin marriage in January, warning Labour's silence amounted to "secretive" support.

However, Labour opted against giving Mr Holden adequate time to bring his Private Members' Bill forward, with the legislation collapsing as a result of the King's Speech.

Mr Holden is now calling on Mr Burnham to take a different approach to his predecessor in No10.

The Basildon & Billericay MP told GB News: “Andy Burnham should lead Labour in a sensible U-turn and back the bill to ban first-cousin marriage.

“This latest crazy case highlights yet another reason why we must end the practice. We should never be in a situation where first-cousin marriage can strengthen someone’s claim to remain in Britain.

“I brought forward legislation to ban first-cousin marriage because the risks associated with the practice are well established, and our laws should be clear about the standards we expect in our country.

"With Dr Luke Evans taking that bill forward in this session, the Prime Minister has a golden opportunity to do the right thing. We’ll see if he takes it.”

Dr Evans's First Cousins (Prohibited Relationships) Bill is not expected to return to the House of Commons for its second reading until at least January 15 next year.

The Tories would likely be able to call on the support of Reform UK, with Nigel Farage welcoming Sweden's decision to push ahead with its cousin marriage ban by describing the practice as "inherently un-British".

However, Labour MPs have been left divided on banning first-cousin marriage.

During an appearance on GB News in January, former Labour frontbencher Barry Gardiner confirmed he would not vote to ban the practice and pointed out Queen Victoria had married her maternal cousin.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood previously insisted Labour was looking at “broader reform of marriage law” and Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones described the debate as “complex and sensitive”.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Neil Coyle argued: "The prevalence of infant mortality and birth defects alone warrants the ban."

A Ministry of Justice spokesman told GB News: “We recognise the serious concerns that have been raised around this issue.

“As any responsible Government would do, we must look at whether legislation is the best solution to tackle this.”