Nationalist MSP in row over freedom of beliefs

A NATIONALIST MSP has been accused of making a "coded attack on the rights of gay people" after he said that no-one should be "forced to be involved in or to approve" of same-sex marriage.

The row broke out at Holyrood after SNP MSP John Mason lodged a parliamentary motion saying: "While some in society approve of same-sex sexual relationships, others do not agree with them."

Mr Mason's motion was lodged ahead of a Scottish Government consultation on legalising same-sex marriages.

A key passage of the motion said: "No person or organisation should be forced to be involved in or to approve of same-sex marriages."

His comments were criticised by Labour and Green MSPs, with his motion branded "bizarre" and "spurious."

Deputy Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said: "The bizarre view, from the SNP's John Mason, that people would somehow be 'forced to be involved in' same-sex marriages is to fundamentally misunderstand the whole debate around same-sex marriage. The debate is not about forcing anything on anybody - it is about allowing religious organisations that want to, the freedom to hold same-sex ceremonies in their buildings."

Green MSP Patrick Harvie added: "John Mason's attitudes to equal rights seem stuck in the dark ages, and raising a spurious objection about freedom of speech is nothing but a distraction."

Mr Mason said: "Clearly a debate has started, but a key concern of mine is that freedom of religious belief and expression are protected.

"I do have some concerns about Christian people getting hammered during this."