A Labour Shadow minister has resigned after suggesting registrars with religious objections should be allowed to refuse to certify same-sex partnerships.
Shadow Faith Minister Janet Daby suggested on Friday that a conscience clause should be introduced to protect people from being penalised for objecting on religious grounds.
She said: "There needs to be something in place that protects people of faith as well as those who think the other way. It is an issue of conscience.
"It is like people having a choice who for reasons of conscience cannot participate in conducting an abortion."
It would be illegal discrimination for a registrar to refuse to perform same-sex weddings.
Today Ms Daby announced she was to resign over the comments, saying they were "misjudged".
She wrote on Twitter : "I’m proud to support same-sex marriages. On Saturday Labour celebrated 15 years of civil partnerships, and all the progress we’ve made since.
"I sincerely apologise for my misjudged comments on Friday, and have decided to resign as Shadow Faith Minister."
It's understood Ms Daby offered her resignation to Labour leader Keir Starmer, who accepted it.
A Labour spokesperson said: “Janet Daby has today stood down from her role as a shadow minister.
“We will appoint a replacement in due course.”
