Dundee group calls for same-sex marriage referendum

Dundee-based Christian faith group Solas has joined forces with the Free Church in calling for a referendum on same-sex marriage.

A Scottish government consultation on the issue of same-sex marriages was launched earlier this month.

Solas has delivered a submission to the government opposing any move to allow same-sex marriage.

The faith group is chaired by the former leader of the Scottish National Party Gordon Wilson.

Mr Wilson, along with Free Church minister the Reverend David Robertson, who is the group's director, said no government had the right to "redefine" marriage - and any attempt to do so would destroy the institution.

The group also argues that what it calls "this attack on marriage" is a violation of the human rights of traditional married couples under UN and European law.

The Scottish government said its initial view was that same-sex marriage should be introduced.

However, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said faith groups who did not want to "solemnise" gay marriages should not be made to do so.

Interested groups can make their views known over the coming weeks.

Currently, same-sex couples can obtain legal recognition of their relationship through entering into civil partnerships but the ceremonies may not take place in religious premises and can only be registered by civil registrars.

Earlier this year the issue of gay marriage sparked a row within the SNP after nationalist MSP John Mason tabled a parliamentary motion stating that no person or organisation should be forced to be involved in or to approve of same-sex marriage.

Some of his party colleagues condemned his actions, claiming the motion encouraged discrimination.