Referendum urged on gay marriage

Posted by: Robert Cotton | Last Updated: 11.10.2011

A former leader of the SNP has urged the Scottish Government to hold a referendum on the proposed introduction of same-sex marriage.

Gordon Wilson argued that allowing same-sex partners to marry was of "such a destructive nature to Scottish society" it should be subject to a public vote.

Mr Wilson, who led the Nationalists from 1979 to 1990, is now chairman of the Christian-based faith group Solas. He and the group's director, the Rev David Robertson, made the call for a referendum in response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the issue.

When Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon launched the consultation last month she said ministers "tend towards the view that same-sex marriage should be introduced". But Mr Wilson and Rev Robertson argued: "By issuing this consultation, the Scottish Government has effectively lit the blue touch paper.

They called on politicians to "let well alone and leave the status quo in place", warning them: "You attack the essential building block of society at your peril." Rather than continue with a "headlong rush to redefine marriage", Solas urged ministers to "stop and reflect that in fact this is a major step which has potentially extremely destructive consequences".

They continued: "We believe this is of such a destructive nature to Scottish society that, rather than leaving the decision to a group of MSPs (who themselves are very susceptible to the threats to their careers and positions of political and media lobbying), this decision should be put to a referendum of the Scottish people.

The Bishop of Paisley raised his concerns about proposals to legalise same-sex marriage when he met First Minister Alex Salmond last week

The Scottish Government has said its initial view was that same-sex marriage should be introduced but faith groups should not be forced to perform the marriages. However, Bishop Philip Tartaglia said he feared such a commitment would "bring about a serious chill to relations between the Scottish Government and the Catholic Bishops' Conference".

Currently, same-sex couples can enter a civil partnership which carries full legal rights but the ceremony cannot be conducted in a church or other religious premises.

Government ministers and officials say they intend to meet key groups to discuss the proposals which would ensure religious organisations do not have to register same-sex marriages against their will. A 14-week consultation on the issue is taking place and asks if marriage in Scotland should be allowed for gay people through a civil or religious ceremony.

© Press Association