Church accuses Maria Miller of 'omnishambles' over gay marriage announcement

Church of England officials have accused the Government of a “botched job” and “making legislation on the hoof” over gay marriage.

It comes after a senior bishop disclosed that no-one had told the established Church about radical plans to ban it from conducting same-sex weddings until they were announced to Parliament.

Details of the complex “quadruple lock” arrangements were set out in a statement in the Commons on Tuesday by Maria Miller, the Culture Secretary, which was brought forward at short notice.

Mrs Miller had been due to meet the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, and a delegation of senior Church officials last Thursday to discuss the plans but unexpectedly pulled out.

It was the same day as Mrs Miller’s family was approached by The Daily Telegraph about her claims on her Parliamentary expenses, which are now subject to an investigation.

Officials insisted that Mrs Miller had cancelled because of unspecified “other commitments”.  Read more

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