No one should be free to claim special privileges to discriminate against women and gay people - just because it's based on a religious belief.

The Church of England has thrown down the gauntlet to the government over the issue of same-sex marriage. The message is clear: "Do as we say or there will be dire consequences." Their response to the government consultation on its intention to legalise civil marriages between same-sex couples is overwrought to the point of hysteria. It is manipulative to the point of blackmail.

The Right Reverend James Jones, Bish Bosh of Liverpool, started his three minutes by telling us of an opulent feast he'd attended, hosted by the Labour Council to make Lord Heseltine a Freeman of the City.