No evidence that banning puberty blockers will fuel rise in suicides among trans children, review finds

A controversial barrister has suffered a major blow after an official review found no evidence to support his claim that banning puberty blockers will fuel a rise in suicides among trans children.

Jolyon Maugham KC, notorious for clubbing a fox to death while wearing a kimono, sparked outrage by arguing that the new Government will 'kill trans children' by continuing the ban.

But an independent report last night rejected the claim and said the way the topic has been discussed by critics on social media is 'insensitive, distressing and dangerous' and goes against guidance on safe reporting of suicide.

The puberty blocker ban was introduced as an emergency measure following the publication of the Cass Review into gender identity services in April – and new Health Secretary Wes Streeting has indicated he wants to make it permanent.

Leading paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass made more than 30 recommendations to overhaul NHS services in a bid to improve care offered to trans children.

She warned evidence for the use of puberty blockers and hormones relied on 'shaky foundations' and associated guidelines were not supported by science.

But critics have repeatedly argued the ban will drive trans children to suicide, and Mr Maugham, director of The Good Law Project, has raised almost £60,000 to lead a High Court challenge.

Mr Streeting commissioned Professor Louis Appleby, a government adviser on suicide prevention, to analyse data on suicides by young patients of the now-closed Gender Identity Development Service at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.

NHS England data showed there were 12 suicides from 2018 to 2024 – half aged under 18 and half 18 or above.

Professor Appleby said: 'The patients who died were in different points in the care system, including post-discharge, suggesting no consistent link to any one aspect of care. 

'They had multiple social and clinical risk factors for suicide.'

Mr Maugham said: 'I was not contacted in advance of the statement being released and will obviously need time to respond.

'I do have difficulties with the figures and analysis and will respond in due course.'