The Government's controversial same-sex marriage legislation is being driven by an EU proposal which is set to become law later this year, say UKIP.

"Many people have been asking what prompted the Prime Minister to pick this uncalled-for fight with many people in his own party and the country at large," said UKIP leader Nigel Farage.

"It has also been unclear why the same debate is being had simultaneously in other countries such as France, where opposition is also growing. Now we know the answer."

An EU report due to be voted through the EU Parliament this November would see all marriages and civil contracts conducted in any EU country become legally binding in all other member states. Under the Berlinguer Report, a couple who are not permitted to marry in their home country could travel to another member state in order to wed, knowing that on their return home they would have to be regarded as married.

Paragraph 40 of the Report would mean that any member state would have to grant 'all social benefits and other legal effects' such as legal recognition, tax breaks and benefit entitlements to a married couple, even if such a marriage did not exist in their own legal system.

Mr Farage said: "Now we know why David Cameron has launched this highly contentious and disruptive legislation, apparently out of the blue.

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Anglican Provinces • Church of England (CoE)

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