KENT Tory MPs are divided on Government plans to allow gay couples the right to civil partnerships.

Maidstone and Weald MP Ann Widdecombe and her Canterbury colleague Julian Brazier both say they intend to vote against the Bill, which will effectively allow gay couples the same legal rights as married couples.

Conservative leader and Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard has given his MPs a free vote on the issue but has signalled that he will be supporting the proposals.

Meanwhile, Kent County Council’s ruling Tories are coming under pressure to say whether they will allow civil partnership ceremonies at its registry offices.

Canterbury MP Julian Brazier said he could not support the measure: “I will be voting against it.

"The question is whether one believes that marriage should be special and the short answer for me is yes it should. It is extremely important that we respect the special position of marriage in society.

“Two thousand years of Christian history is still relevant in the 21st century and there is a lot of evidence that marriage is the best way to bring up children and that it provides one of the key building blocks of society.”