UK catching up with Isle of Man's Equality Bill

The UK could take a step towards following the Isle of Man on equality later this week.

Tory MP Tim Loughton will ask Westminster to back extending civil partnerships to heterosexual couples in line with the Isle of Man.

His private members bill is due to receive its second reading when parliament sits on Friday.

Currently the UK only has civil partnerships for gay couples - and the government there has said it won't recognise Manx ceremonies for opposite-sex couples.

Londoners Martin Loat and Claire Beale travelled to the Island last year to become the first heterosexual couple from the UK to enter a partnership here.

But when they returned to the UK they were told because Britain doesn't have similar laws their partnership wouldn't be recognised there.

This week Mr Loughton, who represents East Worthing and Shoreham, will argue that's a 'glaring inequality' that should be corrected.

The House of Commons will hear the second reading of his Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill on Friday.