News Bulletin 14 December 2012

The House of Lords has voted to reform a controversial law that criminalises ‘insulting words or behaviour’. Peers voted in favour of an amendment by Lord Dear to remove the word ‘insulting’ from Section 5 of the Public Order Act — The minister of St George’s Tron in Glasgow, Revd Dr William Philip, has preached his last sermon in the building, – with the Church of Scotland having now repossessed the premises — Culture Secretary Maria Miller has been giving details of the outcome of government consultation on gay marriage, but failed to take account of a Coalition for Marriage petition — Churches and religious bodies have been saved from a potential avalanche of equality challenges, after the Supreme Court ruled that volunteers are not covered by the same discrimination rights as employees — The Northern Ireland Assembly has passed new regulations aimed at banning ‘all you can drink’ fixed price promotions — And there is the first part of 2 special features looking back at important issues which impact on Christians, in our ‘Review of the Year’.