Law Society makes peace with Christian Concern over banned conference

The Law Society has come to an agreement with Christian Concern in a long-running dispute over a conference on marriage banned by the society this time last year.

The planned event would have been called 'One Man. One Woman. Making the case for marriage for the good of society'. The society's chief executive, Des Hudson, said at the time that the society was proud of its role in promoting diversity.

The society, which takes part in the annual Gay Pride march, hosts marriages and civil partnership ceremonies at Chancery Lane.

It reached an agreement with Christian Concern this week after a mediation process. In a joint statement, released this morning, the parties said the society would organise a "full debate" on the issue of same sex marriage "in which a number of eminent speakers will attend, including a speaker from Christian Concern".

The statement went on: "Both parties respect the fact that views exist in society of those who believe that marriage is between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, and those who believe that marriage should be between two adults regardless of their gender.

"The Law Society, without endorsing the views of Christian Concern, acknowledges that those views, which Christian Concern bases on Biblical principles, are sincerely held and that Christian Concern is entitled to hold and express those views."

The statement added that the society welcomed bookings from Christian Concern in the future.