Island remains in front for civil partnerships

A UK court has thrown out an attempt to allow heterosexual couples to enter civil partnerships.

It means the Isle of Man is the only place in the British Isles where mixed sex couples can enter into such a partnership - although they're not recognised by the UK Government.

Londoners Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan went to court in the UK arguing they were being discriminated against.

However on Monday the appeal court in London ruled against them saying ministers needed longer to consider a change in the law.

In their ruling the judges told the couple there was a potential breach of their human rights but the government could have more time to look into the future of civil partnerships.

However the couple say they'll continue fighting and will now appeal to the Supreme Court.

Last year two other Londoners - Claire Beale and Martin Loat - became the first heterosexual UK couple to enter a civil partnership.

But because they did so in Douglas their partnership isn't recognised in the UK.