THE UK Government has suffered another blow following its U-turn on a complete ban on conversion therapy after a key adviser quit over the issue.

While it had initially planned to outlaw the practice entirely, the London government flip-flopped in recent days, settling on a policy of banning it for everyone except trans people.

ITV News reported that Iain Anderson, the Tories’ LGBT business champion, said his role was “not LGB or T, and that’s why I’m walking away”.

He said the debate around trans rights was becoming "a woke war". "It's turned into a wedge issue," he added.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson warned of 'Section 28 moment' after trans conversion therapy ban U-turn

Anderson was appointed to the role by Women and Equalities Minister Liz Truss in September 2021. 

The Government said at the time that he would be helping to "showcase the UK as an inclusive place to live and work ahead of the UK’s first Global LGBT Conference, Safe To Be Me".

The future of that conference, which had been scheduled to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the London Pride marches, now seems in doubt after more than 100 LGBT groups pulled out in protest.

The Tories also faced criticism from within their own ranks, as Jamie Wallis, the first MP to announce they were trans, described it as "wrong to exclude protections for a whole group of people from a practice described as ‘abhorrent’".

In a letter to the Prime Minister shared on Twitter, Anderson said he had "no choice" but to step down from his role as LGBT business champion as the Government's position on conversion therapy for trans people was "deeply damaging to my work".

He wrote: "I have always made it clear - and the Government appointed me on the basis - I am the LGBT business champion and not the LGB champion.

"So many LGBT people continue to face violence and discrimination but politics which creates dividing lines between LGB people and trans people will never be my approach.

"Now - more than ever - we need tolerance and respect."

He further told ITV he felt "undermined" by the Tory government, going on: "This came as a complete bolt out of the blue. Not just to me but to Liz Truss and the government's LGBT envoy. It came on the very day of International Transgender Visibility. I was completely shocked."

According to NHS England, conversion therapy tries to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.

A UK government spokesperson said: "We thank Iain for his contributions as LGBT business champion.

“The Government has a proud record on LGBT rights and we remain committed to building upon that work with sensitivity and care."