|TOP|One of Scotland’s leading Roman Catholics has reacted with anger to the refusal of the country’s first minister to join in a radio debate on gay adoption.

Jack McConnell rejected the invitation to join the Bishop of Motherwell in a debate on the issue to be broadcast on Premier Radio despite saying that it was “important that there is a proper debate” over legislation that will give homosexual couples the right to adopt, reports Scottish newspaper The Herald.

The Scottish first minister was invited to engage in the discussion following fierce criticism against the Scottish Executive that it was simply pandering to politically correct corners by pushing ahead with the Adoption (Scotland) Bill.

The highly controversial Bill has concerned many Christians in Scotland who fear for the welfare of children as gay couples and unmarried partners will be given the same adoption rights as married couples.

|QUOTE|The Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Devine and Jack McConnell have long been at loggerheads over the divisive legislation.

Bishop Devine called Mr McConnell’s decision to decline participation in an on-air discussion “very disappointing”, adding that the first minister had “backed away from a free and public debate”.

“Surely given his 'paramount concern' for the welfare and interests of children it was not too much to ask the first minister to discuss in an open forum with interested parties the concerns they harbour about children being adopted by homosexual and lesbian partners," said Bishop Devine, whose has also challenged Mr McConnell to bring the issue to the Scottish people in a referendum.

“What affairs of state could be more important than the interests of children? Or does Mr McConnell intend simply to debate the issue within the comfort and security of the Scottish Parliament where his political majority is assured?” he challenged.

|AD|Mr McConnell said in a letter defending the position of the Scottish Executive that his government was the champion of Christian ideals, morals and values.

Bishop Devine responded by saying that, “Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth”.

In the letter, Mr McConnell also denied allegations from the Bishop of Motherwell that the Scottish Executive was undermining family values.

"I do not lead a devolved government of 'politically correct social engineers' or 'politically correct zealots'."

"His response is simply political spin with no supporting evidence for his claims. The simple truth is that the institutions of marriage and the family have not been well served by Scotland's devolved government,” he said.

"The Christian churches have had cause to register protest after protest. So how does that square with Mr McConnell's contention that Christian truth and values are safe in his executive's hands?

"It would appear that gay pressure groups have far more influence than the Christian churches in the corridors of power of the Scottish Parliament," he said.

A spokesman for Mr McConnell explained that the first minister was unable to join in the debate due to a full diary.

"He has a very busy calendar over the next few weeks," he said. "We get numerous bids like this for his time and he just was not available to take part. Our position on this is issue is well known."