Green light for no-fault ‘quickie’ divorces

NO-FAULT “quickie” divorces will be legal from as early as next month, as Boris Johnson faces a backlash for introducing the plans at a time when many marriages are under stress in the coronavirus lockdown.

The reforms will be voted on in the Commons on Monday, but could be opposed by dozens of Conservative MPS amid concerns that they may lead to a spike in divorces.

Divorce inquiries have jumped by more than 40 per cent during lockdown, Co-op Legal Services found.

The reforms would mean that a “no fault” divorce could be granted to a couple after a wait of just six months, rather than after a separation by agreement lasting two years.

The changes would also allow one partner to instigate divorce proceedings and start a 20-week “reflection period” before the divorce can be granted, without notifying their spouse.

The law will pass with a large majority because of the probable support of Labour and the Liberal Democrats for a measure that was not in the Tory election manifesto. It is expected to clear all of stages necessary for it to become law by the end of July. However, “dozens” of Tories are prepared to rebel after the plans were “sprung” on them, MPS have told The Daily Telegraph.

In a letter to 200 fellow Tory MPS sent yesterday and seen by this newspaper, Sir Edward Leigh, Fiona Bruce and Sir John Hayes said they were concerned the reforms would lead to “an immediate ‘spike’ in divorce rates”.

Stressing that “there is simply no public support for this Bill”, they said: “Living in lockdown during the coronavirus crisis has exacerbated difficulties in many relationships.

“We need to provide much more support for couples – and their families – many of whom desperately want to make their marriages work; as drafted this Bill is not the way to achieve this.”

MPS were told on Thursday that the Government intended to press ahead with the second reading of the Bill.

A number of MPS will lead a delegation on Monday to urge a watering down of proposals, by granting divorces after a minimum of nine months, rather than six, at the least.

Confirming to The Telegraph that he would rebel unless the Government amended its plans, Sir Edward said: “The killer point is if you make something easier it will happen more often.”

Writing for The Telegraph’s website, Lord Farmer, a former Tory party treasurer, said the timing of the reforms was “appallingly insensitive to the national mood but also deeply irresponsible”.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “We will always uphold the institution of marriage. But when divorce cannot be avoided, the law must not create conflict between couples that can harm any children involved.”

“Our reforms remove the needless ‘blame game’, while ensuring there is a minimum six-month time frame to allow for reflection.”