A FUTURE church leader has become embroiled in a row over a gay and lesbian equality group's role in schools after calling for its workers to be vetted in the same way as chaplaincy visitors.

The next Free Church of Scotland Moderator Rev David Robertson said organisations like Stonewall Scotland should have the same checks as chaplains in the wake of new rules being set by South Lanarkshire Council.

The local authority is currently at the centre of a controversy over the promotion of young earth creationism in a primary school.

Stonewall Scotland said its work is mainly related to training teachers to help prevent homophobic bullying and not carried out in schools.

The new clash comes after the council became the first to adopt a raft of new rules for non-denominational schools including criminal records checks for chaplains and the insistence that teachers should be present during visits by religious groups.

The council has also drawn up guidance to ensure homophobic or creationist teaching is barred and parents are to be told who is talking to their children in school.

Mr Robertson said: "Parents should be informed of all organisations, not just religious groups, that come into schools seeking to promote their views.

"No such organisations should be allowed to sell, or distribute their literature, without the prior agreement of the headteacher, who must inform parents."

The future Scottish church leader continued: "For example, in many schools it appears that Stonewall have been given carte blanche to distribute their propaganda.

"This should not happen without parental consent.

"Whilst we welcome South Lanarkshire Council's commitment to the legal right of parents to withdraw their children from religious observance, we hope they will show the same diligence in informing parents of their right to withdraw from any sex education that goes against the values and morals of the parents."

He added: "We want all parents to know exactly who is teaching our children and what."

Colin Macfarlane, Director, Stonewall Scotland, said: "At Stonewall Scotland we fundamentally believe that our schools should be safe learning environments and any process that ensures the safety of our children and young people is welcome.

"Mr Robertson appears to be slightly confused about the work Stonewall Scotland does in our schools and we welcome the opportunity to clarify.

"Teachers across Scotland consistently tell us that homophobic bullying is one of the most common forms of bullying in our schools."

South Lanarkshire has previously said that a review took place regarding chaplains and chaplaincy teams in non denominational schools.

It added that it is seeking the advice and support of a number of stakeholders, including headteachers, parents councils and church representatives along with the curriculum and quality improvement service.