A bid to legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has failed.

Unionists voted down a motion at Stormont’s Assembly which called on the power-sharing ministerial Executive to legislate.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without marriage rights for gay couples.

The issue sparked impassioned debate, with protests outside the legislature and verbal clashes between campaigners in favour of or opposed to the change. Amnesty International has warned of a likely legal challenge.

Sinn Fein South Down MLA Caitriona Ruane said: “Attitudes in Ireland are changing because people do not want to see people discriminated against. The gay community has said enough is enough, they are standing up for themselves and their communities.”

Church leaders had urged Assembly members to vote against the legislation, with the Catholic church asserting marriage was between a man and a woman.

However, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty’s Northern Ireland programme director, said: “States may not discriminate with regards to the right to marry and found a family, on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The petition of concern at the Assembly tabled by the largest unionist party, the Democratic Unionists, ensured Sinn Fein’s motion would be defeated after a majority of unionists failed to back the change.

John O’Doherty, director of the Rainbow Project health organisation for gay men and a rights campaigner, said he would continue to press for change.

A total of 95 members voted, 42 in favour including all nationalists. Three unionists out of 50 voted Yes.

DUP Finance Minister Sammy Wilson defended his party’s veto and said colleagues would use it again to defeat “reckless” legislation.

DUP North Down MLA Peter Weir said: “The DUP was right to put down a petition of concern against this motion which no major party included within their manifesto.

“However, the petition of concern was not even necessary as the motion was defeated by an overall majority.It is time that those pushing a redefinition of marriage agenda which has now failed effectively on three occasions, should accept the will which has been expressed.”

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