A WIRRAL MP'S fight to urge the government not to cave into religious pressures has paid off after Tony Blair this week announced to rule out exemptions for Catholic agencies.

The controversial move comes after the Prime Minister's cabinet was spilt over whether to ban discrimination against gay couples wanting to adopt children.

The issue is set to be put to a parliamentary vote next month despite opposition from the Roman Catholic Church.

Adoption agencies run by the church said they would close down before considering gay couples as potential parents, but have now been given nearly two years to adjust to the new Equality Act, it has emerged.

The act, due to come into force in April, outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.

And MP Angela Eagle along with other Labour back-benchers have been in meetings with Tony Blair to urge him to stand against the church's demand to not be bound by the rules.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, head of the Catholic church in England and Wales, expressed his 'deep disappointment' at the decision after writing a letter to the Prime Minister asking for an exemption; a move that openly gay MP, Angela Eagle branded as 'blackmail.' In his letter, he wrote: "We believe it would be unreasonable, unnecessary and unjust discrimination against Catholics."