CATHOLIC demands for an exemption from controversial anti-discrimination laws on gay adoption are set to be rejected, a Cabinet minister signalled today.

But Education Secretary Alan Johnson denied there was a rift in the Cabinet over the issue of the Catholic opt-out.

Mr Johnson said he believed Prime Minister Tony Blair had not favoured an exemption to new gay rights regulations allowing the Catholic Church's adoption agencies to continue turning away same-sex couples.

And he insisted he had not led a movement against the Prime Minister in Cabinet to ensure the legislation was not watered down.

"I didn't lead a movement against anybody," he told BBC Breakfast.

Mr Johnson said there was "a discussion and a debate in Cabinet" about the response to the consultation on new anti-discrimination laws.

Exemption

He said: "I've never seen the case for an exemption. To me this is legislation to prevent discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and you cannot do that and at the same time allow discrimination in one area."

Questioned over reports that Mr Blair had wanted an opt-out for the Catholic Church, Mr Johnson said: "I don't think the Prime Minister is in favour of an exemption."

Mr Blair's official spokesman said earlier that the Prime Minister was trying to find a solution that respected the sensitivities of religious communities and supporters of equal rights.

The proposals, which result from last year's Equality Act, are reported to have caused a split in the Cabinet, with Mr Blair and Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly - a prominent Catholic - favouring an exemption, and colleagues including Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer, insisting that the rules should apply equally to everyone.

Letter

But today Mr Johnson said: "The argument comes from the consultation and the Catholic Church who wrote a very public letter saying we deserve an exemption.

"That means we have to debate the issues when there's a very clear response and a sensitive issue involving one particular faith group.

"They are entitled to make their response, and we are entitled to debate that and that's what we do in Cabinet all the time," he said.

Asked today on BBC Radio 4's Today programme whether the Government would resist calls for an exemption, Mr Johnson, the minister for adoption, said: "Yes, I do."

The Government made clear there was no case for an exemption when consultation began last year, he said.

"The primary concern, of course, has to be the children concerned in the adoption process and I very much hope the Catholic church does continue to provide the important service that they do.

Legislation

"But if they don't, I think we can ensure that children are not disadvantaged by that.

"And I cannot see a case for introducing legislation that protects gays and lesbians from discrimination on grounds of their sexual orientation and then allowing in terms, as part of public policy, that discrimination to continue."

Asked whether Mr Blair's view was the same, he said: "Yes, I think it is."

Mr Johnson refused to give a "blow-by-blow" account of Cabinet discussions on the matter, but added: "I'm convinced I don't see a case for an exemption and I don't think the Prime Minister does."

He said that the Government was, nevertheless, "sensitive" to the concerns of the Catholic church.

"We want to try and find a way through. That's all the Prime Minister, Ruth Kelly and myself have tried to do.

"I don't think there is a way through that includes an exemption."