Lesbians' IVF babies to be denied a father after MPs' vote

Children born to lesbian couples by IVF will no longer have the right to grow up knowing their father.

MPs yesterday voted for the changes, which could see two women listed as parents on a child's birth certificate.

Critics last night criticised the bill, which they say will strengthen the message that fathers are an irrelevance in family life.

They also pointed out that the changes come as Britain faces a crisis in responsible parenting.

Two weeks ago, the Commons voted to scrap laws forcing clinics to consider the need for a 'father and mother' before allowing women to seek fertility treatment.

Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith attacked the 'breathtaking' clause, which ministers insist is vital to ensure lesbians are not discriminated against. Mr Duncan Smith said: 'What kind of message is this sending to fathers?

'If you go to disadvantaged communities you see fathers have gone missing because they see no necessity to stay in their children's lives.

'For the first time, the state has a view that fathers are not important in the upbringing of their child. We are going to be engineering families where fathers are not included. The Government is being driven by a tiny minority to change the law for everything.

'The vast majority of children born to a family without a father will see a reduction in their quality of life.'

Dan Boucher, of Christian charity CARE, said: 'The Government is facilitating the creation of children with the intention they should be denied a father from before they are born, when the balance of established research shows fathers bring something important and distinctive to parenting.

'We cannot ignore this without giving the impression that we are more anxious to champion the rights of adults than we are to promote the best interests of children.'

Labour rebel Geraldine Smith also claimed there was no evidence any lesbian had been denied IVF treatment because of the 'need for a father' clause.

The clauses on lesbian mothers are contained in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which is making its way through the Commons.

The wording of the bill specifically states: 'No man is to be treated as the father of the child.'

Although it was passed yesterday by a small committee of MPs, the full House will only get the chance to vote on the entire bill, not just these particular clauses.

However, the changes are largely symbolic because currently lesbians can access IVF treatment as single women.

Children born in this way will still be able to apply to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for the identity of their father once they turn 18.

The Government has put down a three-line whip, meaning all Labour MPs will be expected to vote for the bill.

A spokesman for Stonewall, the gay rights organisation, said: 'This change will safeguard children, ensuring that where they have two loving parents, both are named on the birth certificate.'