Labour MP: Religious freedom not under threat

Tuesday, 09, Jan 2007 12:00

A Labour MP has denied that the sexual orientation regulations are a threat to religious freedom.

A coalition of faith groups will tonight hold a protest against the regulations, which prevent business from refusing service to people on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

Angela Eagle, MP for Wallasey, told Today: “We are not curtailing religious freedom. People can argue against the practice of homosexuality if they must, but I think it would be more honest for people who are objecting to say that they wanted to abolish all equality law."

She said the regulations, which are already in force in Northern Ireland and due to take effect in the rest of the UK in April, were "very sensible and moderate".

"It gives to lesbians and gay people in Northern Ireland and soon in the UK exactly the same rights as were granted in 1998 to people and protections on the grounds of their religious beliefs," she added.