Christian registrars will not be able to opt out of performing gay marriages if they object on grounds of belief, the Government’s human rights watchdog has said.

In guidance to MPs, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said marriage registrars were public officials and so should expect to be “required” to carry out the ceremonies.
The document makes clear that employees, including teachers and chaplains working in the public sector, should be free to express their views on marriage without being disciplined.

But it says that religious protection is “a qualified right” which “the state can interfere with” in some circumstances.

The question of whether council registrars can object to carrying out parts of their jobs if they clash with their religious beliefs was thrown into the spotlight by the case of Lillian Ladele, who was one of four Christians who went to the European Court of Human Rights last year over disputes involving their employers.

Ms Ladele, a former registrar from Islington, north London, was refused the right to opt out of performing civil partnership ceremonies which went against her traditional beliefs about the teaching of the Bible.

Just more of the same - one rule for them and another for us.

I think the offer of re-deployment to other duties hopefully bog cleaner should sent out a suitable message.

A spokesperson for M&S said: "Where we have an employee whose religious beliefs restrict food or drink they can handle, we work closely with our member of staff to place them in suitable role, such as in our clothing department or bakery in foods.