UK Government refuses to say it will implement Bermuda same-sex marriage ban

Bermuda’s decision to ban same-sex marriage six months after it was introduced could be blocked by the UK Government.

Commonwealth Minister Lord Ahmad refused to say whether the British Governor to Bermuda would sign the new ban on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government.

Lord Ahmad told the Foreign Affairs select committee Bermuda’s Premier has been told “in no uncertain terms” that Britain believes same-sex marriage is a “human right”.

The parliamentary dependancy voted to replace marriage with civil partnerships late last year.

The flag of Bermuda flies in the city of Hamilton, Bermuda (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Questioned by Labour MP Chris Bryant, the minister said: “It is of deep concern to us that we have positive traction with Bermuda, and that is an issue that I raised directly with the Premier when I met him just after the JMC.

“They know of our deep concern in that respect. I don’t know if your subsequent question will be about whether we will impose something on Bermuda, but we are clear on where we stand on the issue of same-sex marriage: it is a human right of any individual.

“That point has been made in no uncertain terms to the Premier, and he is aware of the British Government’s position on that.”

When Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, the committee’s chair, interjected to suggest the minister was saying “No, he won’t sign it”, Lord Ahmad responded: “We are discussing this with the Minister and the Governor at the moment, because it is important that this is based on the constitution of Bermuda and the legal position.

He added: “It has not been finalised yet, but we are certainly aiming to do that shortly.”