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'No opt-out' for Church adoption 'No Catholic opt-out' on adoption
(about 4 hours later)
The Roman Catholic Church is not expected to win an exemption from new anti-discrimination laws, following the row over adoption by gay couples. Roman Catholic adoption agencies must not win an opt-out from new gay discrimination laws, Education Secretary Alan Johnson has said.
Its agencies are demanding an opt-out, so that they are not required to place children with homosexual people. The agencies say they will close if not given an opt-out from having to place children with gay couples, which they say goes against their beliefs.
Reports that Tony Blair has "caved in" to Cabinet members who are against an exemption have been described as "ridiculous" by Downing Street. But Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that such a plan would itself mean "plain, simple discrimination".
But No 10 has suggested agencies may be allowed time to adapt or close. He added: "I don't think there's a way through that allows any exemption."
Tony Blair has met Labour MPs over the issue and an announcement is expected next week. Newspaper reports that Tony Blair had "caved in" to Cabinet members against an exemption have been described as "ridiculous" by Downing Street.
'Strong views' I'm convinced that I don't see a case for exemption and I don't think the prime minister does Alan Johnson, Education Secretary
But No 10 has said, after Mr Blair met a group of Labour MPs to discuss the issue on Wednesday, discussions are continuing and that agencies may be allowed time to adapt or close.
Mr Johnson said he believed Mr Blair had not favoured an exemption.
Reports say that Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly, who is charged with fighting discrimination and who is a devout Catholic, is considering resigning over the issue.
Concerns
Ms Kelly has previously said her own religion would not prevent her from doing her job of tackling discrimination of all types, including that against homosexuals.
When asked if Ms Kelly might see a case for an exemption, Mr Johnson said: "No... Ruth has tried very hard to find a way through this and that's her job to do that."
Asked if she saw it as a resigning issue, he said he was not going to give a "blow-by-blow account".
Mr Johnson, who has government responsibility for adoption issues, told Today: "As agencies that take public money we cannot allow a situation to continue... that says a couple who have been vetted.. and would make a loving home for a child are told 'you cannot adopt a child with us'."
Mr Johnson added: "I'm convinced that I don't see a case for exemption and I don't think the prime minister does."
Mr Johnson said: "The strength of the argument suggests that we cannot introduce legislation to protect gays and lesbians and, at the same time, allow that discrimination to continue."
Archbishop
The Equality Act, due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April, outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.The Equality Act, due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April, outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.
Catholic leaders say its teachings prevent its agencies placing children with homosexuals and they will close if bound by the rules.Catholic leaders say its teachings prevent its agencies placing children with homosexuals and they will close if bound by the rules.
You can either be against discrimination or you can allow for it Harriet Harman, Constitutional Affairs Minister The Church of England has backed the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, has denied claims that he is using "blackmail".
The Church of England has backed the Catholic Church in its attempts.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, have written to Tony Blair to argue that "rights of conscience cannot be made subject to legislation, however well-meaning".Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, have written to Tony Blair to argue that "rights of conscience cannot be made subject to legislation, however well-meaning".
Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman, the latest minister to voice an opinion on the issue, has said there was no scope for exemptions to the legislation. Several members of the Cabinet are said to back this view, but Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman said there was no scope for exemptions to the legislation.
"We will stay true to our commitment in tackling sexual discrimination in terms of sexual orientation," she told the New Statesman magazine."We will stay true to our commitment in tackling sexual discrimination in terms of sexual orientation," she told the New Statesman magazine.
"You can either be against discrimination or you can allow for it. You can't be a little bit against discrimination.""You can either be against discrimination or you can allow for it. You can't be a little bit against discrimination."
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly, who is a Catholic, is reported to be pushing for an exemption.
HAVE YOUR SAY Since when have the laws of England not applied to the church? Greg Skinner, Loughborough Send us your comments
But Labour MP Stephen Pound, who is also Catholic, does not support a religious exemption but believes the adoption row has put Ms Kelly in a difficult decision.
"We seem to be living in a world where people who have strongly held views are somehow derided for that," he told the BBC.
"In Ruth's case there is demonstrably a conflict. Is it right for us to expect someone to abandon everything they believe in because of the prevailing majority view? Does she abandon her ambition or her faith?"
The National Secular Society said that allowing an exemption for the Church would open the "floodgates for a never-ending series of demands".