News Bulletin 10 January 2014

Government plans to make it illegal to be annoying in public, as part of its new Anti Social Behaviour Bill suffered a major defeat after an amendment to the Bill, tabled by former Chief Constable Lord Dear, received overwhelming backing in the House of Lords — An Exclusive Brethren church group threatened with losing its charitable status because its Holy Communion services are for members only, has been told that it can now re-apply to become a registered charity — Church of England minister, Revd Andrew Cain, has said he would conduct a gay marriage if he was legally allowed to — In Scotland, draft sex education guidance has been accused of showing a ‘shocking contempt for the rights of parents’ — And plans to give more power to local authorities to curb fixed-odds betting terminals have been rejected by Coalition MPs.