Don't use Equality Act as excuse to delay gay marriage legislation

I disagree with the legal view put forward by the Scotland for Marriage campaign that human rights will be harmed through the introduction of same-sex marriage and that celebrants or religious organisations who refused to conduct same-sex marriages would face discrimination law claims under the Equality Act 2010 ("Salmond stands firm over same-sex marriage", The Herald, July 18).

I also disagree with the suggestion that before any legislation concerning same-sex marriage could be introduced into the Scottish Parliament the Equality Act, an Act of Parliament reserved to Westminster, would require amendment.

It is important to be clear that the Scottish Parliament has the legal authority to introduce legislation to permit same-sex marriages in Scotland without any amendment to the Equality Act. Furthermore, any legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament has to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.

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