Ukip would let Christians opposed to same-sex marriage opt out of doing work that they don't like

The party says it would extend the right to 'reasonable accommodation'

A wedding cake with statuettes of two men is seen during the demonstration (Getty)

Ukip would pass a law to give people who object to other people’s same-sex marriages an ‘opt out’ from certain duties at work, the party has said.

The party’s Christian Manifesto, launched today, says employers would have to provide “reasonable accommodation” to people who objected to the relationships.

Duties that could be interpreted as accepting the legitimacy of same-sex marriages would be included in the exemption.

A number of religions stipulate opposition to same-sex marriages on spiritual grounds. Some religious groups do not oppose same-sex marriage.

The party said it would not reverse same-sex marriage, however, arguing that it would be “grossly unfair and unethical” to reverse couples’ marriages.

Writing in the foreword to the manifesto, the party’s leader Nigel Farage said Christianity “should be recognised by Government at all levels”.

“Traditional Christian views of marriage and family life have come under attack of late, whereas we have no problem in supporting and even promoting conventional marriage as a firm foundation for a secure and happy family,” he said.

The party’s manifesto says it opposed same-sex marriage legislation “because it impinged upon the beliefs of millions of people of faith” and was “rushed through Parliament without proper public debate”.

"We will ... extend the legal concept of ‘reasonable accommodation’ to give protection in law to those expressing a religious conscience in the workplace on this issue," the manifesto says.

The move follows a row last month over a bakery run by Christians that refused a customer’s request to make a cake bearing a slogan supporting gay marriage.

The Belfast establishment, named Ashers, was the subject of legal action by a customer whose request was turned down.