LCC Broadcast News Room

The Equalities Minister, Harriet Harman, has backed down in a row with religious leaders about the Equality Bill.

Last week the Government suffered a defeat when peers rejected proposals which Ministers said clarified the law on who churches and other religious organisations can employ.

Churches and other groups are exempt from anti-discrimination laws when appointing priests and other "religious" jobs.

When the Equality Bill was debated in the House of Lords peers including some Church of England Bishops -- complained that Government proposals changed the existing exemptions. The Government amendment was defeated and peers backed amendments which preserved the status quo.