Scottish ministers have confirmed that Scotland will become the first part of the UK to introduce full equal marriage for same-sex couples. Hurrah!

The announcement had been delayed, but it has now been confirmed that the Scottish parliament will push ahead with reforms, to the joy of most people, and the impotent po-faced complaining of some Church officials, who we imagine would describe themselves as ‘miffed’.

Their disappointment is for some reason not lifted by the fact that no part of the religious community will be forced to hold same-sex weddings in churches. But for some reason, figures like Mr O’Brien are still really upset about what consenting people do with their lives.

Just for some context, by the way, the United Reformed Church, Quakers, Buddhists and the Pagan Federation back gay marriage. So we’re bezzies with them, obviously.

The national UK government is consulting on reforming civil ceremonies to allow gay and lesbian couples in England and Wales to get married, and they want to make the change by 2015.