Clegg has to strike out ‘bigots’ comment

The Deputy Prime Minister was expected to launch an outspoken attack on opponents of the policy in a speech at a reception last night.

Extracts released early by officials said: “Continued trouble in the economy gives the bigots a stick to beat us with, as they demand we ‘postpone’ the equalities agenda in order to deal with ‘the things people really care about’.”

Within an hour aides had corrected the text, insisting an early draft had been released in error.

The revised version said: “Continued trouble in the economy leads some people to demand we ‘postpone’ the equalities agenda in order to deal with ‘the things people really care about’.”

The coalition’s pledge to introduce same-sex civil marriage by 2015 has been criticised by religious groups and provoked deep unease in Conservative ranks – with some Ministers suggesting they might not support it in Parliament.

David Cameron has signalled that MPs will be given a free vote on the issue, but stressed his personal commitment.

Opponents of gay marriage voiced fury at the “bigot” jibe. A spokesman for the Coalition for Marriage said: “These intolerant and intemperate remarks by Nick Clegg show that there is nothing liberal about him whatsoever.”

Tory backbencher Peter Bone said Mr Clegg had insulted “millions of people with deep convictions of religion and conscience”.

He insisted the Lib Dem leader had to “apologise profusely” or resign.

“I don’t see how that could have got published without it being the view of the Deputy Prime Minister,” he said. “He has got to rapidly get out there on the airwaves apologising.”