Party backtracks on MP's comments over cohabitation rights

The Conservative Party has not supported remarks made earlier this week by one of its senior members concerning cohabiting couples.

Speaking to the BBC's Politics Show, shadow justice minister Henry Bellingham suggested that, if the Tories were elected, they would increase the rights of such people.

He expressed support for proposals from the Law Society under which couples sharing a residence for two years or more would be automatically entitled to half of their partner's estate in the event of their death.

Mr Bellingham concurred, stating that it would help to protect the children of unmarried parents.

However, a party source has claimed that the politician spoke out of turn, saying: "This is not the direction we are moving in."

Also issuing a response, a fellow shadow minster commented: "This cuts across everything David Cameron has been saying about putting marriage back at the heart of society."
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26/11/2009 16:32

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