MP urges action over same-sex marriage law in NI

THE MP who i ntroduced same- sex marriage l egislation for Northern Ireland has urged the Secretary of State to ensure all couples will be able to get married.

Those who previously entered civil partnerships have vowed to take legal action after learning they may have to delay tying the knot under official proposals.

From January, couples who are legally unconnected will be able to get married.

Labour’s Conor McGinn introduced the successful equal marriage amendment in the House of Commons in July.

He said: “I have raised in the Commons my concern that, despite the will of the House to introduce equal marriage in Northern Ireland, not in any partial or segmented form, those who are in a civil partnership or those who have deeply-held religious beliefs may be forced to delay indefinitely their marriage.

“The Secretar y of State should reconsider and make clear that, as of January 13, all couples in Northern Ireland who love each other will be able to get married.”

Lord Hayward, who introduced one of the successful marriage equality amendments i n the Lords, said: “Throughout the debates in the Lords, I identified that I was proposing amendments to be consistent with England and Wales law and that I was working on the advice of government lawyers. There should be no delay in delivery and no deviation from equality for all on the same date.”

Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International said: “We welcome the continued support of Conor McGinn and Lord Hayward for our simple demand that all people should be treated equally under the law.”