This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6473831.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Blair defends gay adoption laws Lords urged 'reject equality law'
(about 2 hours later)
Tony Blair has defended planned gay equality laws, amid criticism they are being "rail-roaded" through Parliament. The House of Lords is being asked to reject contentious gay equality laws at the centre of a row between the government and the Catholic Church.
Tory MP Bill Cash said Mr Blair had treated the Commons with contempt and put gay rights above religion. Tory peer Baroness O'Cathain said the rules should be rejected, saying they were "seriously flawed" and had not been sufficiently debated.
The prime minister said there had been a "very full debate" and accused Mr Cash of backing discrimination. Among implications are that Catholic adoption agencies would be forced to place children with gay couples.
The House of Lords is debating the new regulations, which would force Catholic agencies to consider gay couples as prospective parents. Earlier Tony Blair said critics were effectively backing discrimination.
At prime minister's questions, backbencher Mr Cash told Mr Blair: "You have given more preference to those who stand for gay rights than those who are concerned with conscience, with family and with religion." Tory MP Bill Cash told him: "You have given more preference to those who stand for gay rights than those who are concerned with conscience, with family and with religion."
'Difficult balance' Controversy
But Mr Blair responded there had already been much debate, adding: "There is a basic choice: you take the view that there should be discrimination against gay people in respect of this." But Mr Blair denied the equality laws were being "rail-roaded" through Parliament, saying there had already been much debate.
As Mr Cash protested, Mr Blair said: "That is the impact of voting against the regulations." The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, which outlaw discrimination against gay people by businesses and service providers, have proved extremely controversial.
He agreed it was a "difficult balance to strike" but said he thought the government had found the right balance. I believe the regulations are seriously flawed Lady O'Caithain
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said the church was abiding by its principles It would make it illegal for hoteliers and other businesses to turn away gay couples.
But the Catholic Church has said it will be forced to shut its adoption agencies, which handle some of the most difficult-to-place children, rather than act against church teachings.
Some backbench Tory MPs have complained that the draft regulations were being "rail-roaded" through Parliament with "unseemly haste".
Litigation warning
Several hundred peers turned up for the debate in the Lords on Wednesday. Conservative peers have been allowed a free vote, but the government is expected to win, with the support of the Lib Dems.
But Lady O'Caithain told peers: "I believe the regulations are seriously flawed.
"The Commons has had no opportunity to debate them, other than in a hastily arranged committee off the floor of the House.
Mr Blair said there had been much debate about the laws
"This surely is not acceptable. The government is rushing headlong into the incredibly sensitive area of a clash between gay rights and religious freedom and doing so by secondary legislation that does not allow for amendments and permits only very limited debate."
Her amendment warns that the draft regulations will "result in litigation over the content of classroom teaching".
But Baroness Andrews, for the government, asked peers to reject the amendment.
She said: "This has been a long journey to us recognising the rights of people irrespective of sexual orientation. It is a historic step forward towards dignity, respect and fairness for all."
The government has refused to grant Catholic agencies an opt-out, but will give them a 21-month transitional period to prepare for the new laws.The government has refused to grant Catholic agencies an opt-out, but will give them a 21-month transitional period to prepare for the new laws.
The hope is that extra time would allow expertise and knowledge to be passed onto the secular sector, rather than being lost altogether.The hope is that extra time would allow expertise and knowledge to be passed onto the secular sector, rather than being lost altogether.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the most senior Catholic in England and Wales, has said it "remains to be seen" whether the church will cooperate.Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the most senior Catholic in England and Wales, has said it "remains to be seen" whether the church will cooperate.
'Abuse of democracy'
Last week he accused the government of an "abuse of parliamentary democracy", for not discussing the Equality Act regulations in the House of Commons.
But the government said standard procedure had been followed. As the draft regulations formed part of the Equality Act, two thirds of which had already been approved, MPs did not have to debate it.
The Catholic Church says it will have to shut its adoption agencies, which handle some of the most difficult-to-place children, rather than act contrary to its beliefs.
The Catholic church wishes to abide by its principles that the best way - or the best manner - is to place them with a family, with a father and with a mother Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor
Speaking to the BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Cardinal Murphy O'Connor said the church had the interests of children at heart.
"The Catholic Church wishes to abide by its principles that the best way - or the best manner - is to place them with a family, with a father and with a mother," he said.
"What we're dealing with is a crucial question indeed for democracy in this country because it highlights the part that is played by voluntary agencies for the public good."
The Church of England's General Synod has written to bishops in the Lords asking them to oppose the measures in Wednesday's debate.The Church of England's General Synod has written to bishops in the Lords asking them to oppose the measures in Wednesday's debate.
The Equality Act is due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April.The Equality Act is due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April.
It outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.