Senior clergy in the Church of England called today to lift the ban on gay couples having civil partnerships in church. They said that it was inconsistent and discriminatory to ban gay couples having their ceremonies in churches willing to accommodate them.

Senior clergy in the Church of England called today to lift the ban on gay couples having civil partnerships in church. They said that it was inconsistent and discriminatory to ban gay couples having their ceremonies in churches willing to accommodate them.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams apologised yesterday for statements he has made about gay people in the church. He said he was "profoundly sorry" for giving the impression of "ignoring or undervaluing" human realities.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams apologised yesterday for statements he has made about gay people in the church. He said he was "profoundly sorry" for giving the impression of "ignoring or undervaluing" human realities.

Equality minister Harriet Harman yesterday confirmed that the government will not attempt to force through clarifications on who churches must employ.

Equality minister Harriet Harman yesterday confirmed that the government will not attempt to force through clarifications on who churches must employ.

Equality minister Harriet Harman yesterday confirmed that the government will not attempt to force through clarifications on who churches must employ.

Equality minister Harriet Harman yesterday confirmed that the government will not attempt to force through clarifications on who churches must employ.

Equality minister Harriet Harman yesterday confirmed that the government will not attempt to force through clarifications on who churches must employ.

Equality minister Harriet Harman has backed down over an amendment on who churches can employ. She is thought to have made the climbdown to avoid a continuing dispute with church leaders in the face of the Pope's visit in September.