Gay marriage bill set for further tests

The gay marriage bill, which cleared a major parliamentary hurdle after the Lords rejected a bid to block the amendment, will face further tests including a detailed line-by-line scrutiny in its later stages.

The marathon debate over the bill, with more than 90 speakers over two days, revealed deep divisions over the controversial measure in the Upper House.

MPs have already backed the Bill, which applies to England and Wales, despite opposition from dozens of Tory backbenchers.

The result in the House of Lords tonight was greeted with cheers from supporters of gay marriage outside Parliament.