MP speaks out against proposal to ban first cousin marriages

An MP has spoken against calls to ban first cousin marriage in the UK, suggesting instead that advanced genetic screening is made available to prospective married couples.

Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed said while "freedom of women must be protected at all times", he did not believe outlawing the practice would be "effective or enforceable".

He argued that rather than "stigmatising" cousin marriages, a "much more positive approach" should be adopted to respond to health concerns linked to the children of those relationships.

The MP for Dewsbury and Batley suggested measures could include adopting similar screening efforts to those undertaken in Arab countries in the Persian Gulf.

Mr Mohamed was responding to Conservative former minister Richard Holden, who has introduced his Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Bill for further consideration in the Commons.

The current law prohibits marriage to a sibling, parent or child, but not marriages between first cousins.

Mr Mohamed told the Commons: "There are documented health risks with first-cousin marriage and I agree this is an issue that needs greater awareness."

He spoke of the need to prevent so-called "virginity testing" and forced marriages, and also to protect the freedom of women.