Green light for gender-neutral passports High Court challenge

A campaigner has been given the go-ahead to bring a High Court challenge against the Government over gender-neutral passports.

Christie Elan-Cane, who has given evidence to Parliament about transgender equality, believes the UK's passport application process, which requires individuals to indicate whether they are male or female, is inappropriate.

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Elan-Cane, who first contacted the UK passport office directly in 1995, sees the issue of "X" (for unspecified) passports as a key focal point of the non-gendered campaign.

Campaigner Christie Elan-Cane outside the Royal Courts of Justice (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

At a hearing in London on Wednesday, Mr Justice Gilbart granted the campaigner, who was present in court, permission to bring a judicial review.

He announced: "I am satisfied this case passes the test for the grant of permission, and is arguable."

A full hearing of the challenge will now be held on a date to be fixed.

Last month, Canada became the latest country to offer citizens gender-neutral travel documents. Australia, Denmark, Germany, Malta, New Zealand, Pakistan, India and Nepal already have a third category.