Labour Shadow Minister Resigns Over Same-Sex Marriage Comment
Janet Daby, the Labour party's shadow minister for faith, has resigned after saying public officials should have the right to deny certifying same-sex marriages, The Independent reports.
Last week, Daby participated in a Zoom event in which she was asked about a registrar who had been fired for denying same-sex marriages. Daby responded that protections for registrars should be in place respecting their "conscience and views of faith." After saying she would like more information on the matter, Daby suggested that government officials paid by public funds should be protected:
"It's almost similar as well to whether someone wish to partake in the medical process of an abortion — I think nurses have a choice. This is highly complex and controversial and there needs to be something in place that respects people's conscience and views of faith, as well as that protects people's right that want to ensure that they can also be treated equally within their own rights as well. I think that needs to happen."
As the Independent notes, guidance in 2013 from the Equality and Human Rights commission on same-sex marriage requires that registrars carry out their duties as public officials regardless of their "religious or philosophical objection to doing so."
After ensuing backlash, Daby offered, "I sincerely apologise for my misjudged comments on Friday, and have decided to resign as shadow faith minister."