End in sight for priest ban law

MPs will debate the Clergy Disqualification Bill

The Westminster Parliament is to take another step toward reforming an ancient law which is preventing a former catholic priest from Greenock becoming an MP.

David Cairns has been selected by the Labour Party to fight the Greenock and Inverclyde seat at the next general election.

However, a law dating back to the 19th century would prevent him from taking his seat since he was a Roman Catholic priest between 1991 and 1994.

MPs at Westminster will be asked to repeal the law by supporting the second reading of the Clergy Disqualifications Bill which seeks to give equal electoral rights to former priests and ministers from all denominations.

The former clergyman hopes the ancient law is overturned

Legislation passed in the last century allows former Church of England priests to renounce their ordination and sit in the House of Commons.

However, that does not apply to former catholic priests, Church of Scotland ministers or those belonging to the orthodox or episcopal church.

Ministers have said the ancient law is bigoted and out of date and are appealing for MPs to support the new bill.

If it attracts strong cross-party support, the new bill is likely to be on the statute book in time for an expected general election in May.

The political ambitions of Mr Cairns hinge on the outcome of the passage of the bill.

Strictly speaking, even if he were victorious in the Greenock and Inverclyde seat at a general election, he would not be allowed to take up his seat if the law is not reformed.