Sarah Champion MP reacts to Court of Appeal ruling over Civil Partnerships

Sarah Champion, Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, commenting on the Court of Appeal judgement on Civil Partnerships today, said:

It is disappointing news that Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan have lost their Court of Appeal battle to enter into a Civil Partnership.

Labour are proud to have introduced Civil Partnerships in 2004 as a key step in achieving true marriage equality for LGBT people.

But, now that same sex marriage has been legalised, it is an anomaly that Civil Partnerships are not available to all couples regardless of their gender and sexuality.

Civil Partnerships should be extended to heterosexual couples who wish to have a legal union in accordance with their individual beliefs and values.

Labour will continue to push the government to look again at this important issue.