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Lords urged 'reject equality law' Lords support gay equality laws
(30 minutes later)
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. Peers have backed the government over gay equality laws at the centre of a row with the Catholic Church.
Tory peer Baroness O'Cathain said the rules should be rejected, saying they were "seriously flawed" and had not been sufficiently debated. They voted against an amendment to throw out the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, brought by Tory peer Baroness O'Cathain.
She argued that they were "seriously flawed" and would lead to litigation, but was defeated by 168 votes to 122.
Among implications are that Catholic adoption agencies would be forced to place children with gay couples.Among implications are that Catholic adoption agencies would be forced to place children with gay couples.
Earlier Tony Blair said critics were effectively backing discrimination. The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, which outlaw discrimination against gay people by businesses and service providers, and have already been approved by MPs, will now come into force on 30 April.
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." But they have proved extremely controversial.
Controversy
But Mr Blair denied the equality laws were being "rail-roaded" through Parliament, saying there had already been much debate.
The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, which outlaw discrimination against gay people by businesses and service providers, have proved extremely controversial.
I believe the regulations are seriously flawed Lady O'CaithainI believe the regulations are seriously flawed Lady O'Caithain
It would make it illegal for hoteliers and other businesses to turn away gay couples. 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.
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".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 were allowed a free vote as it was an "issue of conscience".
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. Amendment warning
But Lady O'Caithain told peers: "I believe the regulations are seriously flawed. 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."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.""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". This has been a long journey to us recognising the rights of people irrespective of sexual orientation Baroness Andrews
Her amendment warned 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.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."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."
At prime minister's questions earlier, Tony Blair said critics were effectively backing discrimination.
'Rail-roaded'
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."
But Mr Blair denied the equality laws were being "rail-roaded" through Parliament, saying there had already been much debate.
Mr Blair said there had been much debate about the 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 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.
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.