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Nicky Morgan branded a hypocrite after backing Irish gay marriage referendum having voted against it in England and Wales

The Equalities Minister decided against equal marriage in 2013 but has since had a change of heart

Monday 25 May 2015 08:48 BST

Nicky Morgan (Getty Images)

Equalities Minister Nicky Morgan has been accused of double standards after praising Ireland for voting to legalise marriage between same-sex couples.

Morgan voted against equal marriages when given the chance to do so in 2013, saying that her Christian faith and the impression she got from her constituents led her to oppose the bill.

The Irish referendum found that 62 per cent of the electorate supported same-sex marriages, while only 38 per cent opposed the idea.

Morgan tweeted her joy at the result, saying it struck a blow for equality.

Morgan was met with a barrage of criticism from her followers who believed that her decision to support the Yes vote was hypocritical.

Morgan was given her current ministerial role in July 2014.

In November of that year, Morgan told Radio 4 that she welcomed "absolutely anyone who enters into a commitment" and that she had voted against it because she believed that was what her constituents wanted her to do.

"I do understand people of course saying well, 'She voted a certain way and now she is Equalities Minister.' We are all as members of Parliament to represent, to listen, to change minds.

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

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1/16Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Michael Sheen

Actor Sheen called the referendum a "chance to make history and inspire those fighting for equality everywhere."

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Alan Davies

The TV host supported Stephen Fry's speech for gay marriage in Ireland.

Getty images

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Jimmy Carr

TV presenter Carr said: "Come on! For the craic!"

Getty Images

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Stephen Fry

"I want the same happiness that I have found to be afforded to those in Ireland too. Give people a chance to marry, and have their love celebrated."

Rex

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Jason Byrne

The comic said: "Vote YES people. So blokes can marry their best friends."

Ray Burmiston

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Aisling Bea

Comedian Bea made a video supporting gay marriage "in the hope that people will back our battle for equality and for civil rights".

Karla Gowlett

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Robbie Keane

The footballer said: “Most of us will have friends or family who, up to now, have been denied the right to marry their loved ones or have been made to feel excluded because of their sexuality. To me, this feels wrong. I am a very proud Irishman and it is important to me that our country does, and is seen to, treat all of its citizens on equal footing.”

GETTY IMAGES

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Mary McAleese

Former Irish president said: “This referendum is about them and them alone. The only children affected by this referendum will be Ireland’s gay children. It is their future which is at stake. It is in our hands.”

Getty Images

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Marian Keyes

The author said: “I’m voting yes because it’s the right, fair and decent thing to do. We have the chance as a nation to do something that will make a difference for the good – I can’t see a down side to a Yes vote.”

Rex Features

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Graham Norton

He tweeted: "Come on Ireland! The world is watching and waiting. Here's hoping that love and common sense win the day rather than fear and misinformation."

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Sarah Silverman

The comedian tweeted in favour, asking followers how they'd feel if they had to ask four million people for permission to wed.

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Noah Taylor

South African comedian has joked that everybody has the same right to be unhappily married.

EPA

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Jack Dee

The comedian said: "I would say yes to equality"

BBC

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Russell Kane

The comedian supports gay marriage.

Rex Features

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Sean Lock

Appearing in a pro-Yes video, he urged Ireland to back the bill.

Here’s who’s urging you to vote Yes in the Irish gay marriage referendum

Mrs Brown

Brendan O'Carroll - in character as Mrs Brown - said people should "grow up" and vote Yes.

BBC

"But I have a lot of constituents who asked me vote in a certain way, I listened to them and it was an issue of conscience too – but I have certainly learnt a lot in this job."

In 2013, Morgan told the Leicester Mercury that "to me, marriage is between a man and a woman".

"First, this is a very big social change. There have been plenty of little changes down the years but what’s never been changed is that the fact that marriage is between a man and a woman.

"I think that was one of the issues people, especially those who asked me to vote against, found hardest to accept and it also tied in with my own Christian faith too."

She has described herself as a "bog-standard C of E" when discussing her religion.

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