HALF A MILLION TELL DAVID CAMERON THEY OPPOSE GAY MARRIAGE

DAVID Cameron was yesterday presented with a 500,000-name petition opposing plans to legalise gay marriage.

Amid growing opposition to the move, campaigners from the Coalition For Marriage delivered the petition to 10 Downing Street. It follows warnings from senior clergy that the historic tie between the Church of England and the state could be broken if the law is changed.

Mike Judge, spokesman for C4M, said: “Marriage is incredibly important. Its definition predates the Government and the Christian church and I don’t think it’s for politicians to redefine it.

“If they were to hold a referendum, I’m confident the British people would say we are happy with marriage as it is.” Coalition ministers pledged to change the law to allow same-sex marriages by the next election in 2015.

A growing number of Tory MPs oppose the plan. Some clergy fear vicars could be forced to conduct gay weddings against their will.