Senior Conservatives backing same-sex marriage

A campaign group backing same-sex marriage has been launched by senior Conservative MPs and peers.

In a Sunday Telegraph letter, the group said religious bodies should be able to conduct gay marriages but should not be compelled to do so. Plans to legalise same-sex marriage have divided the party.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who supports the move, has promised a change in the law in England and Wales by the next election in May 2015. The Scottish government announced plans to legislate on the issue in July.

Iain Watson reports.