MP calls for anti-terror powers to prevent Christians from teaching gay marriage is wrong

A Tory MP has said that the anti-terror laws used to prevent hate speech should be applied to those who teach that gay marriage is wrong.

Mark Spencer, the MP for Sherwood in Nottinghamshire, has promoted the use of Extreme Disruption Orders (EDOs) to prevent teachers from disseminating the traditional Christian idea that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

EDOs are new measures introduced by David Cameron and Theresa May, designed to prevent the spreading of radical ideas by jihadists.

Mr Spencer wrote in a letter to a constituent that Christian teachers were still entitled to teach their views on same-sex marriage, but only in certain situations.

This has raised fears amongst Christian campaigners that those who believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman will be branded extremists.

The EDOs have been introduced as a measure not only to prevent the spread of extremism but also to promote “British values,” defined in the past as including democracy and tolerance.

However, the proposal to extend the orders to teachings about gay marriage has been criticised by The National Secular Society, which argues that they could be one of the biggest threats to freedom of expression ever seen in the UK.

The National Secular Society supports gay marriage but says that the EDOs will undermine free speech.