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Church to be consulted on blasphemy laws repeal

Downing Street has announced plans to consult the Church of England over plans to scrap blasphemy laws.

MPs were in the Commons on Wednesday to debate a proposed amendment to the current Criminal Justice Bill tabled by Lib Dem front-bencher Frank Dobson and Conservative backbencher David Wilshire.

Justice Minister Maria Eagle said at the debate that the Government has “every sympathy” for proposals to abolish the laws, which were originally passed to protect Christianity.

Harris’s amendment failed to win the backing of the Government yesterday, but a Downing Street spokesman indicated that Prime Minister Gordon Brown was going to keep blasphemy laws on the agenda.

"We do believe it is necessary to consult with the churches, particularly the Anglican church, before coming to a final decision, and that's what we are doing,” said the spokesman.

"Subject to that, we will consider moving amendments in the House of Lords."

Full story at Christian Today.