Marriages between first cousins could be banned in UK under new proposal

MARRIAGES between first cousins would be banned in the UK under a proposal to be tabled in Parliament.

Former Tory minister Richard Holden thinks they “reinforce negative structures and control women” and are linked to more birth defects.

Mr Holden said: “People already think it is illegal and then are surprised when you mention it isn’t.”

He said cousin marriages can be “cultural rather than religious” in “some of the communities where it is more prevalent”.

He added: “Marriage and relationships should be about individual choice in modern Britain.

“It shouldn’t be about anything else.”

“First-cousin marriage raises serious concerns both in the UK and globally.

“Studies show that it is associated with approximately double the rate of birth defects compared to the general population and can reinforce negative structures and control women.

“Building on my previous work to ban hymenoplasty and so-called virginity testing in the last Parliament, I will urge the Government to reconsider the legality of first-cousin marriage in the UK.

“Many nations and states have taken action on this issue in recent years and it is time for us to do the same.”

The Basildon and Billericay member’s Bill will go before MPs tomorrow.