European MPs to vote on lesbian parental leave

Politicians in Europe are set to vote on whether both parents in a lesbian couple should be entitled to parental leave if one of them gives birth.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are to be given the chance to decide whether to grant two weeks' leave to gay second mothers if their partners have a child.

The vote will take place later this month.

Commenting on the issue, Labour MEP Mary Honeyball said: "It's a truly groundbreaking piece of legislation. But once you have said that same-sex couples can adopt, the next step is to give them the same co-maternity rights. It's logical."

It is expected that the European Parliament will pass the legislation with a majority voting in favour of the changes.

If this were to happen, the proposals must then be agreed by a majority in a council of European Union employment ministers, including Peter Mandelson, the Telegraph reports.

Mr Mandelson was appointed as secretary of state for business, enterprise and regulatory reform in October last year.
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08/05/2009 14:55

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