Polly Curtis

Gay marriage bill may lead to 'lesbian queen and artificially inseminated heir'

guardian.co.uk — The determination of David Cameron to press ahead with legalising gay marriage opens up the possibility of a lesbian queen giving birth to a future monarch by artificial insemination, Lord Tebbit has warned. In one of his more outspoken interventions, the former Conservative party chairman told the Big Issue magazine that the legislation could also allow him to marry his son to escape inheritance tax.

Gay marriage bill: will extending civil partnerships really cost £4bn?

guardian.co.uk — Almost 50 years ago the Beatles sang, "you can't buy me love". Half a century on love still isn't for sale but according to the government, the associated costs to the taxpayer are rising fast. In the continued parliamentary ding-dong over permitting gay couples to get married, Tory backbenchers have introduced an amendment to the current bill to extend civil partnerships to heterosexual couples.