Lords rejects gay adoption reforms

Plans to allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt were thrown out by the House of Lords last night in a severe setback for the Government.

A coalition of Tory and independent peers and bishops blocked by 196 votes to 162 proposals in the Adoption and Children Bill to lift the restriction on unmarried or homosexual couples adopting. The Government immediately vowed to reintroduce its plans in the Commons, which approved them in May.

The Labour Party and Liberal Democrats reacted angrily to the Conservatives' stand and said it showed that the party was not, as claimed by Iain Duncan Smith, caring and compassionate.

Tory peers and bishops argued that the plans would undermine the institution of marriage and lead to instability in households that adopt.

But Department of Health sources said last night that ministers would press forward with the reforms, which had the backing of the "settled will" of the Commons.

The House of Lords backed an amendment tabled by the Tory frontbench peer Earl Howe to retain the status quo, which restricts adoption to married couples and single people.