Religious support for gay marriage bill

Religious peers have lent their weight to the same-sex marriage bill being debated in the House of Lords.

Baroness Neuberger, a senior rabbi at West London Synagogue and independent crossbench peer, said marriage was a "social construct" and had not always been between one man and one woman.

"I expect the first days after this becomes law, as I hope it does, to consist of marriage after marriage in my synagogue bringing joy and equality and renewed commitment to people who until this point have been denied it," she said.

Baroness Richardson of Calow, a Methodist minister and independent crossbench peer, said: "I believe in marriage. I believe that marriage is the bedrock of our society and brings stability to our communities.

"I believe that marriage is the best place where children can be nurtured and it is for those reasons that I will support this Bill."