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Gay marriage bill: Lords to debate 'wrecking amendment' Gay marriage bill: Lords to debate 'wrecking amendment'
(about 3 hours later)
A "wrecking amendment" which seeks to derail the same-sex marriage bill is being debated in the House of Lords.A "wrecking amendment" which seeks to derail the same-sex marriage bill is being debated in the House of Lords.
The government's bill, covering England and Wales, was passed in the Commons, despite the opposition of 133 Tory MPs.The government's bill, covering England and Wales, was passed in the Commons, despite the opposition of 133 Tory MPs.
Ex-chief constable Lord Dear, who has tabled the amendment to refuse it a second reading, said the result of Tuesday's vote was "too close to call". Ex-chief constable Lord Dear, who has tabled the amendment to refuse it a second reading, called the proposals "ill-considered".
Supporters of same-sex marriage are due to hold a rally outside Parliament later on Monday. But the government said everyone should have the right to marry. The vote on the amendment takes place on Tuesday.
Supporters of same-sex marriage have been holding a rally opposite Parliament.
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill for England and Wales would allow couples, who can currently form civil partnerships, to marry.The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill for England and Wales would allow couples, who can currently form civil partnerships, to marry.
Religious organisations would have to "opt in" to offering weddings, with the Church of England and Church in Wales being banned in law from doing so.Religious organisations would have to "opt in" to offering weddings, with the Church of England and Church in Wales being banned in law from doing so.
It is backed by PM David Cameron, his Lib Dem deputy Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband but was opposed by 161 MPs in a free vote in the Commons - 133 of them Conservative. It is backed by Prime Minister David Cameron, his Liberal Democrat deputy Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband but was opposed by 161 MPs in a free vote in the Commons - 133 of them Conservative.
'Deep concern''Deep concern'
The bill, which has been criticised by some Conservative activists, is expected to face a tough passage through the Lords - if crossbench peer Lord Dear's amendment were passed it would effectively kill it. The bill, which has been criticised by Conservative activists, is expected to face a tough passage through the Lords - if crossbench peer Lord Dear's amendment were passed it would effectively kill it.
Lord Dear, a crossbencher, told peers the bill was "ill-considered" and sought to "overturn centuries of tradition".Lord Dear, a crossbencher, told peers the bill was "ill-considered" and sought to "overturn centuries of tradition".
It was "blind to the laws of unintended consequences", he added, calling homosexuals "a very small minority".It was "blind to the laws of unintended consequences", he added, calling homosexuals "a very small minority".
Lord Dear also said: "The concept should be sent back to the drawing board. This is too serious a matter to be hurried through on a whim and in a cavalier fashion."Lord Dear also said: "The concept should be sent back to the drawing board. This is too serious a matter to be hurried through on a whim and in a cavalier fashion."
But equalities minister Baroness Stowell of Beeston said: "For gay and lesbian couples this matters. It matters because it means the final acceptance of who they are."But equalities minister Baroness Stowell of Beeston said: "For gay and lesbian couples this matters. It matters because it means the final acceptance of who they are."
She added that discrimination against homosexuals was "wrong" and that "no religion or faith would be required to change its beliefs or doctrines" as a result of the bill.She added that discrimination against homosexuals was "wrong" and that "no religion or faith would be required to change its beliefs or doctrines" as a result of the bill.
Same-sex marriage was "new and different" but would "not affect the nature of existing marriage", Lady Beeston said.Same-sex marriage was "new and different" but would "not affect the nature of existing marriage", Lady Beeston said.
Baroness Royall, Labour's leader in the Lords, said she understood the bill had caused "anguish" for some people of faith, but she did not understand the argument that gay marriage could "harm marriage between a man and a woman".Baroness Royall, Labour's leader in the Lords, said she understood the bill had caused "anguish" for some people of faith, but she did not understand the argument that gay marriage could "harm marriage between a man and a woman".
But the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Welby, said the plans would "weaken" existing marriage, adding that ministers were confusing "equality" with "uniformity".But the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Welby, said the plans would "weaken" existing marriage, adding that ministers were confusing "equality" with "uniformity".
He added: "I and many of my colleagues retain considerable hesitations about this bill."He added: "I and many of my colleagues retain considerable hesitations about this bill."
And Labour's Lord Anderson of Swansea challenged David Cameron to hold a referendum on the issue, saying: "Surely this proposed change is far more fundamental to our society than any transfer of power to Brussels." And Labour's Lord Anderson of Swansea challenged Mr Cameron to hold a referendum on the issue, saying: "Surely this proposed change is far more fundamental to our society than any transfer of power to Brussels."
He said the prime minister "and his friends can put their case", but added that "many of us - Conservatives, Labour and crossbenchers - will be on the other side. Let the people decide."He said the prime minister "and his friends can put their case", but added that "many of us - Conservatives, Labour and crossbenchers - will be on the other side. Let the people decide."
Some 86 peers are expected to speak in the debate with a final vote due on Tuesday. Some 86 peers are expected to speak in the debate with a final vote due on Tuesday evening.
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who has organised a rally outside the Houses of Parliament on Monday afternoon, said everyone should be equal before the law in a democratic society.
Meanwhile, in a letter to the Sunday Telegraph, a Tory grassroots group has expressed "deep concern" about "the negative effect of the gay marriage bill on both Conservative Party morale and electoral appeal".
The Conservative Grassroots group has called on peers to reject the bill, but Mr Cameron hopes it will become law soon and that the first ceremonies can take place by next summer.The Conservative Grassroots group has called on peers to reject the bill, but Mr Cameron hopes it will become law soon and that the first ceremonies can take place by next summer.
The Scottish government has confirmed it will introduce a bill shortly to allow same-sex marriage.The Scottish government has confirmed it will introduce a bill shortly to allow same-sex marriage.