The Government is coming under pressure from MPs in Britain to legalise same-sex marriage.

In answer to a question in the House of Commons last week, David Rutley, the parliamentary under-secretary for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said that London would “encourage” Overseas Territories to recognise and protect same-sex relationships.

Although same-sex marriage was legalised in Bermuda in May 2017, the Government later passed a Bill banning gays and lesbians the right to wed — although civil partnerships are allowed. After a protracted legal battle, the law was finally upheld by the Privy Council this year.

On Thursday, Labour MP Dan Carden asked if the Government had been in discussions with LGBT activists and organisations in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands “where the right to marriage for same-sex couples is refused by their respective governments”.

Mr Rutley replied: “The inhabited British Overseas Territories are separate, largely self-governing jurisdictions with their own democratically elected representatives. The relationship with the Overseas Territories is based on partnership. Policy on marriage law is an area of devolved responsibility.

“The majority of Overseas Territories have legal recognition and protection for same-sex relationships, either through marriage or through civil partnerships as is the case in Bermuda.

“In 2020, the Governor of the Cayman Islands enacted civil partnership legislation to recognise same-sex partnerships in order to comply with the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal.

“The UK Government continues to engage with and encourage remaining territories that have not put in place arrangements to recognise and protect same-sex relationships to do so.

“The UK Government remains open to further engagement with LGBT+ activists and organisations across the Overseas Territories to support increased recognition and protections for same-sex relationships in the Overseas Territories.”