Female bishops controversy: government says it will not step in

Government insists it will not use equalities legislation to force Church of England to change rules after synod vote

The government has insisted it will not intervene in the female bishops controversy by using equalities legislation to force the Church of England to change its internal rules.

The prime minister's spokesman said David Cameron shared the disappointment of many at the vote on female bishops, but said the issue was a matter for the church to decide.

Sources close to the culture secretary, Maria Miller, who is also equalities minister, issued strongly worded criticism after the vote on Tuesday night to open up the episcopate to female clerics was lost by just six votes.

But it was stressed by No 10 that this displeasure would not extend to direct intervention in the internal workings of the Church of England. Read more

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The troubles that brought the Synod vote have been building up for decades

With members of Parliament pressing for an inquiry into the vote on women bishops in General Synod, the Conservative government may not be able to resist intervening for very long.