Search: Tory same-sex marriage
David Cameron will consider the case for same-sex marriage rights if elected as Prime Minister, George Osborne told gay campaigners.
The shadow chancellor, along with fellow frontbenchers Theresa May and Nick Herbert, met activists Peter Tatchell and Tamsin Osmond in a bid to boost the Conservatives' appeal to gay voters.
The Westminster meeting came before a protest at the Conservative campaign headquarters, where campaigners were calling for shadow home secretary Chris Grayling to be sacked for homophobia.
Mr Grayling was recently forced to apologise after saying people running bed and breakfasts in their homes should "have the right" to turn away gay couples.
A Conservative Party spokesman confirmed Mr Osborne had told Mr Tatchell: "David Cameron and I are very happy to consider the case for gay marriage."
It would mean civil partnership couples could legally say they were married.
Mr Tatchell said today's 50-minute meeting showed the Tories had "good intentions" but were still "weak on coherent policy".
Mr Tatchell said: "It was positive that they met us but disappointing that they had nothing to tell us.
Advertisement starts
Advertisement ends
"George Osborne was full of good intentions but very weak on very specific gay rights policies.
"The best he could do on gay marriage was say he would consider it."
