Labour still failing to back cousin marriage ban

Andy Burnham ignored calls to hold a cross-party meeting on banning cousin marriage, the Tory MP fighting to outlaw the practice has told GB News.

Dr Luke Evans, who extended an invite to Mr Burnham and his ministers in August, revealed Labour only released a press release following his plea.

The former GP is hoping to receive Government support after fellow Tory MP accused Sir Keir Starmer of “secretly” backing cousin marriage by failing to support his own private members’ bill.

Speaking to GB News, Dr Evans said: “We've had the press release that said the Government was in listening mode, but I can't say anything's moved any further than that.”

The Shadow Health Minister added: “The proof will be in the pudding because they can't avoid the debate in January when I bring this bill forward.

“If they decide to talk it out, we know exactly what has happened here. Labour would have made a choice not to bring this legislation forward.

“If they get behind and the Government gives it backing, this could be one of the private members bills that actually makes it onto the statute books.

“There are few and far between, but I think across the House there should be support for something like this.

“It's not a left or right wing issue, as I've demonstrated by talking about the countries that are taking it forward.

“It's about getting it right for future generations and making sure this practice is outlawed.”

Private members’ bills rarely become law, with just 110 of more than 2,500 proposed bills receiving royal assent between 2010 and 2024.

However, the Ministry of Justice confirmed in August that Mr Burnham’s Government was monitoring Dr Evans’s proposed ban.

“We recognise the serious concerns that have been raised around this issue,” a Ministry of Justice spokesman said at the time.

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

First-cousin marriage, which was outlawed until Henry VIII broke with Rome in 1540, was scheduled to be debated in the House of Commons today after Mr Holden tabled a second private members’ bill to stop consanguineous couples claiming benefits.

However, MPs were not sitting in the House of Commons today, meaning the process will yet again be kicked into the long grass.

Dr Evans spoke to GB News just days after Labour announced its ban pornography depicting sexual relationships between family members.

He said: “I agree with the principle of banning that depiction, but the reality is, it means you've made it illegal for adults to pretend to be related and film pornography.

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“But you can actually have incest, sexual relationships with your cousin, or even get married.

“So we're banning the fake, but allowing the actual act of incest to go on.

“The way around the loophole is to label everything cousin pornography, and that would still be legal because of the way in which the law is written.”

Dr Evans pointed out the legal loophole exists under the Crime & Policing Act 2026 because the Sexual Offences Act 2003 excludes cousins from any ban.

The debate around cousin marriage is gaining international prominence after Sweden, Austria, Norway and Azerbaijan introduced bans in 2025 and 2026.

However, the GP-turned-MP fears the legal consequences remain under-appreciated.

He told The People’s Channel: “It's a really important point and often lost in this debate. It's to do with the deformities and the medical conditions that you're much more prone to.

“You're twice as likely to have a problem of a genetic deformity or severe medical issue if you have sexual intercourse and a child with your cousin.”

Cousin marriage remains a common practice in parts of Asia and North Africa, with more than 80 per cent of marriages recorded as consanguineous in rural Pakistan.

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

Children born to first-cousin couples face increased risks of birth defects, developmental delays and speech and language difficulties.

Despite the health concerns, Labour MPs have been divided on a proposed ban.

Brent West MP Barry Gardiner told GB News in January that he would not support a ban, pointing out that Queen Victoria had married her maternal cousin.

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

Ex-Keighley MP Ann Cryer, who faced accusations of racism when trying to expose the grooming gangs, said in 2005: “They must adopt a different lifestyle.

"They must look outside the family for husbands and wives for their young people."

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also called on the NHS to apologise for publishing guidance suggesting first-cousin marriage could have potential benefits.

However, Dewsbury & Batley's independent MP Iqbal Mohamed publicly urged the Commons to vote against banning the practice.

He said: “Instead of stigmatising those who are in cousin marriages, or those who are inclined to be, a much more positive approach would be to facilitate advanced genetic test screening for prospective married couples, as is the case in all Arab countries in the Persian Gulf, and to run health education programmes targeting those communities where the practice is most common.”

A YouGov poll last year found just 47 per cent of Pakistani and Bangladeshi Britons supported a ban, compared with 77 per cent of white and Indian Britons.

GB News has approached the Ministry of Justice for comment.