The Scottish Parliament has voted overwhelmingly to repeal Section 28 - the law which bars the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities.

MSPs backed repeal by 88 votes to 18, with three abstentions.

Thursday's debate was on a Tory motion urging that repeal should be shelved pending a full study of sex education.

The formal bill including repeal of Section 28 will be introduced later this month.

Deputy Tory leader Annabelle Goldie said there was a difference between teaching and promoting homosexuality.

She said the repeal of Section 28 was not supported by the public, had not been in Labour's manifesto comments and was purely the product of zealousness by the executive.

The Scottish Executive argued that, among other things, Section 28 inhibits teachers from preventing homophobic bullying.

It stressed repeal will not go ahead until there are new safeguards in place to protect children although there are no plans for statutory legislation.

Communities Minister Wendy Alexander said: "On the practicalities of the safeguards, we are seeking consensus, but on the principle of repeal, we will not delay because justice delayed is justice denied."

The Scottish National Party said the executive had mishandled the issue but backed repeal.

Michael Matheson MSP said: "Some of our people are gay. Some of our children will be gay.

"Whether as a parent or as a concerned citizen, it is our duty to care for, to nourish, and to support all our nation's children."

Meanwhile, ministers announced a nine-strong team to consult on new safeguards.

On Monday the House of Lords threw out a government bill to repeal the clause for England and Wales.

Anne Allen, convenor of the Church of Scotland's Board of Social Responsibility, said statutory safeguards were vital.

"In 12 years since this act was in place we don't appear to have had any problems, any worried parents or any issues, simply because there has been a sanction and there has been legislation in place.

"If you remove that legislation what are you left with - guidelines that are going to be toothless?

"What's the point in having guidelines in they are not actually going to be able to operate?"

Section 28 of the Local Government Act - or Section 2a in Scotland - was brought in by the Tory government in 1988 prohibiting the promotion of homosexuality in schools as a "pretended family relationship".

Storm of protest

The intention to repeal the clause did not appear in Labour's Scottish election manifesto - but it was in Labour's Westminster plans.

The planned repeal appears as part of the local government ethical standards bill proposed by Communities Minister Wendy Alexander.

Plans for reform have created a storm of protest, with concerned parents, Catholic Church leaders and others criticising proposals.

A "Keep the Clause" campaign is being bankrolled by transport millionaire Brian Souter.