Lord Mackay was asked at an event hosted by the Theos think tank whether, in light of the Church of England’s opposition, signing the Bill might put the Queen in breach of her Coronation Oath.

Lord Mackay, who opposes same-sex marriage, said that ministers should ensure any legislation was consistent with the Queen’s promise.

He said: “The Queen under our constitutional arrangements is expected to act in accordance with the advice of her ministers, given ultimately through the Prime Minister.

"The idea of the Coronation Oath was that it would never be in conflict with that advice and therefore it is the responsibility of the ministers of the Crown to see that whatever advice they give is consistent with the proper construction of the Coronation Oath.”

Addressing an audience in London last month, the peer added: “My hope is that a contradiction between what is advised and what was sworn should never arise.”

Peter Dominiczak and Edward Malnick | Sunday Telegraph

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