French Mp to Conduct Gay Union

A maverick Green politician vowed yesterday to go ahead with plans to conduct France's first gay marriage ceremony this weekend despite a warning from government ministers that he would be breaking the law.

As the tension mounted in traditionally Catholic France, Noël Mamère, MP and mayor of the south-western town of Bègles, dismissed as "empty blah-blah" the "threats" of the prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and the justice minister, Dominique Perben.

"It is not for them to say whether or not I am respecting the law, it is for a judge - after a proper examination of the case before a court," Mr Mamère told French radio. "Of course I will perform this wedding. And before anyone can punish me, they must prove I've broken the law."

Mr Perben said: "There's no question of sending in the police to prevent this ceremony.

"But if it does go ahead, the state prosecutor will demand it be annulled and legal proceedings will begin to that end. Sanctions can also be envisaged against the mayor of Bègles."

The justice minister's comments followed remarks by Mr Raffarin, who called the marriage of Bertrand Charpentier and Stephane Chapin "an illegal manifestation, null in law and null in effect".

The public prosecutor in Bordeaux has banned the ceremony, for which Mr Mamère could be suspended as mayor for a month or even have his title revoked.

He also faces a symbolic fine of €4.50 (£3) for celebrating a marriage against the prosecutor's wishes, and another of €1,500 for making an illegal entry in civil records.