The UK’s Attorney General has said the
possible introduction of same-sex marriage will raise ‘profound philosophical
difficulties’ for some 
religious workers in the public sector.
In an interview with a Christian radio
station in the UK, Mr Dominic Grieve, said that same-sex marriage would inevitably create
“friction”.
He cited the example of a public official
whose religious views prevented them from officiating at a civil partnership
ceremony.
He said: “I think that raises some profound
philosophical questions about the nature of public service, the nature of
individual conscience, and these are not easy matters to resolve because on the
whole one would expect that in a society where the rule of law exists, a public
official will fulfill their public duty as laid down by Parliament and what it
is.
“At what point do you say that individual
conscience should be accommodated
and to what extent should it then be accommodated for?”
He said he believed a serious debate was
needed on what parameters can be used by someone with a deep religious faith
who works in the public sector, on the basis of them refusing to carry out an
aspect of their job on the grounds of conscience.
Prime Minister David Cameron did not reiterate his support
for gay marriage in his speech to the Conservative party conference on
Wednesday, despite suggestions before he took to the stage that he would again
underline his government’s commitment to introducing same-sex unions before the
next general election.
However, the new equalities minister Maria
Millar did use her speech in Birmingham to rubber stamp her support for the
controversial policy.
Miller, the recently promoted culture, media
and sport secretary, who has also taken over the women and equalities portfolio
from the home secretary, Theresa May, used the Tory party conference stage in
Birmingham to send a message to Conservative activists that the coalition
government would not back down on its plans to
change the nature of marriage.
She said: “As a society we have to make
sure that gender, sexuality, ethnicity and disability are not barriers to full
and equal participation. Conference, five years ago I stood here and told you
that I believed in marriage and nothing’s changed.
“I still believe in marriage. It’s part of
the bedrock of our society. The state should not stop two people from making
the commitment to be married unless there’s a good reason. I don’t believe
being gay is one of them.”
Campaigners opposed to a change in the law
commissioned a poll, published on the eve of the party conference, to convey
the level of concern among local Conservative associations about the prospect
of same-sex couples being allowed to marry, with only one in 10 local chairs
saying the plans had enhanced Cameron’s standing with the party, while 70pc
said they had made it worse.
Just 11pc said same-sex marriage should be a
political priority now, when Whitehall spending is facing deep cuts and
ministers are driving forward key reforms in education, health and welfare,
while 73pc said it should not.