IN refusing to fall in line with the full recommendations of the Leveson report on the future of the British press, David Cameron showed he had the courage to defy popular opinion.

It would have been easy for him to support legislation to underpin the press but he risked a potential backlash by saying it made him feel uncomfortable.

We also believe the Prime Minister has shown backbone by saying the time is right to allow gay marriage in church.

Culture Secretary Maria Miller will today unveil proposed law changes to allow same-sex marriages in places of worship, but up to 130 Conservative MPs are predicted to oppose Mr Cameron’s view in a free vote next year.

The Prime Minister knows he is in for a fight but says he is relaxed about the opposition from within his own team.

He argues that civil partnerships were a “great step forward” but that the institution of marriage should be open to same-sex couples.

We agree with him. For the same reasons that we believe it is time for the Church of England to accept women bishops, we believe a modern, tolerant society should have marriage equality.

It is not that long ago that gay MPs had to keep their sexuality a closelyguarded secret but, thankfully, those days are gone. It no longer matters.

Now the time has come for them to vote in favour of allowing a loving couple to be married in church – irrespective of their sexuality.