THE Scottish Government has dismissed allegations of bias in its major consultation on same-sex marriage.
Health Secretary Alex Neil said there was no evidence that a researcher who led the analysis of the submissions was hostile to the Catholic Church, the main opponent of plans to let gay couples marry.
In a parliamentary question answered yesterday, Labour MSP Michael McMahon referred to claims that the lead researcher on its consultation on civil partnership and same-sex marriage "insulted and belittled" Christian views while preparing the report and "directed obscenities" at Cardinal Keith O'Brien in the presence of other members of the analysis team.
Mr Neil said there was no evidence to back up the claims.
The Government's consultation on same-sex marriage closed last December. It attracted 77,500 responses, most opposed to a change in the law.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has since announced plans to press ahead with the legislation.
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