Alex Salmond urged to name date for same-sex marriage debate

THE First Minister has been asked to name the date for the Scottish Government's consultation on same-sex marriage following a clash among SNP politicians about the issue.

Alex Salmond was urged by Labour to set out details of the timescale for discussion after Shettleston MSP John Mason tabled a parliamentary motion which said no-one should be forced to approve of same-sex marriage.

In its election manifesto, the SNP said it would hold a consultation on the issue. After the election victory, the SNP administration said the process would begin "later this year".

Mr Mason's position led to criticism from SNP MP Pete Wishart and political opponents. On his Twitter site, Mr Wishart wrote: "John Mason's nasty little anti-gay marriage motion is just wrong, and really disappointed that other colleagues have signed it."

Green MSP Patrick Harvie said the motion was "specifically anti-gay".

Labour's deputy leader at Holyrood, Johann Lamont, has now written to Mr Salmond asking for a clear timetable. She said: "If Alex Salmond is serious about equality and equal rights for gay people, then he should publicly distance himself from John Mason's coded attack on gay people and name the date."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said it was committed to holding the consultation "later this year".