Maria Miller: Gay marriage 'part of free society'

Tensions within the Conservative Party will be reignited later when a Bill to allow marriage between couples of the same sex returns to the Commons.

It received overwhelming backing from MPs last time it was debated, though it was opposed by nearly half of all Tory MPs and some Labour MPs.

Culture Secretary Maria Miller told the Today programme's Sarah Montage that the gay marriage bill was "something the majority of people in the country support".

She went on to say that it was essential to sort out gay marriage: "The idea of being able to enable more people, gay couples, to be able to get married to me is an important part of making sure that we have a free and fair society."

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday 20 May 2013.