Registrars 'swapped shifts to dodge gay weddings'

Two registrars are under investigation for apparently swapping shifts to avoid conducting civil ceremonies for gay people.

It is claimed the pair would not preside over civil partnerships because of their religious beliefs. The case came to light during a diversity training seminar, when it was reportedly used to illustrate good practice at Lambeth council's Register Office.

It is understood a gay staff member reported the incident to Lambeth's chief executive, Derrick Anderson, telling him she was shocked her colleagues were able to "get around the law".

The matter was taken up by Brian Palmer, a gay Liberal Democrat councillor who held a civil partnership ceremony in Lambeth on the day the law came into force in 2005.

In a letter to the Labour council's leader, Steve Reed, Mr Palmer asked if he was aware registrars were "apparently circumventing Lambeth's publicly stated equalities standards and the law by refusing to conduct civil partnerships".

Mr Palmer wrote: "He will know that such actions will be grossly offensive to many members of the borough's large LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community. What steps is he taking to ensure all members of the community using Lambeth Registrar Services are treated with respect and equality under the law?"

Mr Reed replied that Lambeth "does not tolerate bigotry". He promised to ensure all staff were aware of their "contractual obligation to provide
services equality to all residents."

Lambeth confirmed an investigation had been launched but said no one had been suspended. A spokesman said: "We are fully committed to and supportive of civil partnerships.

"The registrars' service has never declined to administer a civil partnership enquiry, booking, taking of a notice ... ceremony or registration. No one has, or ever will in the future, be turned down for a civil partnership for any reason other than that we cannot accommodate the date or time."

Last year the Appeal Court ruled Islington registrar Lillian Ladele broke the law by refusing to conduct civil partnerships because of her Christian beliefs. She had tried to swap shifts, but gay and lesbian colleagues complained of feeling victimised.