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'No Catholic opt-out' on adoption Adoption decision 'due next week'
(30 minutes later)
Roman Catholic adoption agencies must not win an opt-out from new gay discrimination laws, Education Secretary Alan Johnson has said. Tony Blair has promised a decision next week on whether Catholic adoption agencies will be able to opt out of gay discrimination laws.
The prime minister said there could also be a Commons vote, saying it was important to find "a way through this sensitive and difficult issue".
Earlier, Education Secretary Alan Johnson said any opt-out would mean "plain, simple discrimination".
But some Catholics say new rules go against their religious beliefs.
'Good record'
In a statement, Mr Blair said: "Both gay couples and the Catholic agencies have high levels of success in adopting hard-to-place children.
"It is for that reason we have taken time to ensure we get these regulations right.
Many ministers want to 'face down' the Catholic church BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
"How do we protect the principle of ending discrimination against gay people and at the same time protect those vulnerable children who are at the present time being placed through - and after care provided by - Catholic agencies who everyone accepts do a great job with some of the most disturbed youngsters?"
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.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.
But Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that such a plan would itself mean "plain, simple discrimination". 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.
He added: "I don't think there's a way through that allows any exemption." Mr Blair said: "The new regulations provide a massive step forward in ending discrimination against gay people."
'Last aspect'
He added: "These regulations will extend further anti-discrimination legislation. We are clear about what we want to do.
"There is one last aspect within the new regulations to resolve and it concerns adoption."
Ahead of the Thursday Cabinet meeting Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't think there's a way through that allows any exemption."
You can either be against discrimination or you can allow for it. You can't be a little bit against discrimination Harriet HarmanLabour minister
Newspaper reports that Tony Blair had "caved in" to Cabinet members against an exemption have been described as "ridiculous" by Downing Street.Newspaper reports that Tony Blair had "caved in" to Cabinet members against an exemption have been described as "ridiculous" by Downing Street.
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 Reports say that Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly, herself a Catholic, is considering resigning over the issue, which is said to be causing splits in the Cabinet.
No 10 said, after Mr Blair met a group of Labour MPs to discuss the issue on Wednesday, that discussions were continuing.
There is speculation that those discussions might be focusing now on giving agencies 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
She 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."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."
Many ministers want to 'face down' the Catholic church BBC political editor Nick Robinson class="" href="http://blogs.bbc.co.uk/nickrobinson/2007/01/no_blanket_exem.html">Read Nick's thoughts in full Asked if she saw it as a resigning issue, he said he was not going to give a "blow-by-blow account". 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.
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 said: "I'm convinced that I don't see a case for exemption and I don't think the prime minister does."
Mr Johnson added: "I'm convinced that I don't see a case for exemption and I don't think the prime minister does." Harman
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.
Catholic leaders say its teachings prevent its agencies placing children with homosexuals and they will close if bound by the rules.
The Church of England has backed the Catholic Church.The Church of England has backed the Catholic Church.
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".
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.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. "You can either be against discrimination or you can allow for it. You can't be a little bit against discrimination," 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."
The Catholic Church's agencies are said to handle 4%, or about 200, of all adoptions a year. However they handle about a third of those children judged difficult to place.The Catholic Church's agencies are said to handle 4%, or about 200, of all adoptions a year. However they handle about a third of those children judged difficult to place.