MP Ivan Lewis has condemned "peer pressure" for delaying a change in the law over gay rights.

The MP for Bury South has called for drastic changes to the House of Lords after members defied the Commons in refusing to equalise the age of consent.

It meant that MPs were forced to drop the clause in order to save the rest of Labour's flagship Crime and Disorder Bill, which the Government was desperate to have on the statute books by this weekend.

Mr Lewis voted in favour of lowering the age of consent for homosexuals from 18 to 16, the same as for heterosexuals. The Commons agreed, by 336 votes to 129.

But Labour's Crime Bill, which contains key manifesto commitments on law and order, was jeopardised after the Lords voted by 290 votes to 122 to keep the current age of consent.

Mr Lewis was both angry and disappointed by the Lords' decision. He said: "It's extremely regrettable that unelected peers have overturned a decision reached by democratically elected MPs.

"It's further evidence of why the House of Lords desperately needs reforming."

Mr Lewis said the Lords' vote was particularly aggravating because the original decision by MPs was taken after a free vote.

He added: "MPs were able to vote according to their conscience and not act under the party whip.

"It's very irresponsible to even attempt to jeopardise the bill, which will make so much difference."

The bill contains proposals to speed up youth justice, tackle delays in the justice system, and impose supervision on sex offenders.

"It's the most important crime and disorder bill put to Parliament for a long time, yet the Lords decided the gay vote was the bigger issue," said Mr Lewis.

In a compromise measure, ministers promised gay rights campaigners that they would bring the equalising of consent matter back to Parliament in the autumn as a separate bill.

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