The British government was last night gearing up for a confrontation with the House of Lords as MPs were poised to back legislation reducing the gay age of consent from 18 to 16.
The House of Commons was expected to deliver a large majority in favour of the controversial measure to equalise the gay and heterosexual ages of consent in a vote late last night.
But peers warned they would rebel against the move when the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill reaches the Upper House, probably after Easter.
They blocked a similar plan last summer and forced the Home Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, to ditch the controversial clause to save the rest of a major anti-crime Bill. This time the government has included extra provisions to try to stop young people being exploited by people in positions of trust, for instance teachers or care home staff.
The move has calmed the fears of many Labour MPs, including Mr Joe Ashton, who had fought to include protection for young people in the original Bill. Last night Mr Ashton told the Commons that with the extra clauses in place, "there will be no reason at all for the House of Lords to reject it".
The Home Secretary introduced the Bill as "a good measure which balances the fundamental need to ensure that young people are adequately protected, with the right which all our citizens should have to equality before the law".
In a free vote, Labour MPs are expected to deliver overwhelming backing for the Bill - larger than the 207 majority in last summer's vote.
But the Conservatives voiced continuing opposition to the plans. Sir Norman Fowler said his stance not reflect anti-gay prejudice, but "many of the public who are polled are parents themselves and are concerned about the possible impact that a change in the law could have on 16 and 17-year-olds in this country".