Catholic adoption agencies 'will not co-operate' over new equality laws

Key quote:

"If we decide as a society to end discrimination then it would make a mockery of that if we provide exemptions for those groups most likely to discriminate." - Patrick Harvie MSP

Story in full:

CATHOLIC adoption agencies will defy new anti-discrimination laws, the Church warned last night, as the row over allowing gay couples to adopt threatened to divide religion and politics.

The argument was sparked by new equality laws being brought in by Westminster which would make it illegal to discriminate against anyone on the grounds of sexuality. This would include a Catholic adoption agency turning down a gay couple for adoption and has led to outcry among religious groups.

Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, has watched as his Cabinet ruptures over the issue. Ruth Kelly, the communities minister, argues for an opt-out for faith-based agencies while Alan Johnson, the Education Secretary, insists the new laws must apply across the board.

Mr Blair might have thought he was stalling the issue yesterday when he delayed any decision for another week.

But the entrance of John Reid, the Home Secretary, claiming all groups in Britain must follow equality laws only made matters worse.

In Scotland, recent legislation for the first time allowed gay couples to adopt. However, faith-based agencies can vet potential adopters based on their sexuality.

Despite accusations of discrimination, the Scottish Executive insists faith-based adoption agencies must be allowed an opt-out, and is in constant contact with Westminster to try to stop the new laws.

But as equality is a reserved matter it is powerless, prompting scorn from the Scottish National Party.

The Executive now finds itself in danger of alienating the Catholic Church in Scotland, which had announced that allowing the regulations to go forward would be a betrayal.