OPPONENTS of same-sex marriage have demanded a series of amendments to the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill to ensure churches or celebrants cannot face legal action if they choose not to participate.

Speaking in the wake of Holyrood's Equal Opportunities Committee giving majority approval to the Bill's Stage 1 report, a spokesman for Scotland for Marriage said: "Thankfully, some MSPs are starting to agree with the majority of the Scottish public and reflect the opposition to redefining marriage.

"Real safeguards set out in amendments to the legislation are required to protect the rights and civil liberties of the majority of Scots who don't support this law."

They sought assurances that those who did not participate:

l Do not suffer discrimination in their career or workplace.

l Do not have their freedom of speech restricted.

l Are not denied access to public services.

l Are not disallowed from fostering or adopting.