BRITAIN:British prime minister Tony Blair sided with cabinet and Labour Party opinion last night and ruled there will be no exemption from new gay rights laws for Catholic or other faith-based adoption agencies.
Mr Blair and communities secretary Ruth Kelly were thought to favour a compromise after last week's warning from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, that its adoption agencies would be forced to close if asked to comply with new regulations banning discrimination against lesbians and gay men in the provision of goods, facilities and services.
However, with the row said to have split the cabinet - and public opposition from ministers underlining the erosion of Mr Blair's authority in his final months in office - senior Labour MPs likewise insisted there could be no opt-out from equality legislation on grounds of religious belief.
Announcing his decision yesterday, Mr Blair said: "There is no place in our society for discrimination. That's why I support the right of gay couples to apply to adopt like any other couple. And that way there can be no exemptions for faith-based adoption agencies offering public-funded services from regulations that prevent discrimination."
He indicated that the new regulations would not come into force until the end of 2008, and that until then there would be a "statutory duty" for religious agencies that do not process applications from same sex couples to refer them on to other agencies. His spokesman said the statement reflected government policy, and that Labour MPs would not be given a "free" vote when the issue comes before the Commons.
Mr Blair said that in the interests of the children the new regulations would come with a "transitional period" before coming fully into force at the end of next year. Ms Kelly described the announcement as a breakthrough that should be welcomed by everyone.
The 21-month transitional period would allow agencies to adapt to the new requirements.