TWO WIRRAL MPs were among those who voted in support of a backlash against the same-sex marriage bill.

Wirral West MP Esther McVey and Frank Field, who represents Birkenhead, voted in favour of an amendment to extend civil partnerships to heterosexual couples.

Ex-minister Tim Loughton insisted his was not a "wrecking amendment" and that it was a move backed by the public and many advocates of same-sex marriage.

It had been feared The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill could have been derailed by the change and that it would have imposed “significant delays and costs.”

However it attracted just 70 supporters and was defeated by a 305-strong majority in a free vote on Monday.

Ms McVey told the Globe: “I believe in equality for all, as well as tolerance for all.

“For those reasons I support, 100%, civil partnerships, which gives same sex couples equal rights before the law. 

“However, tolerance for people with different sexual orientations must be coupled with tolerance of those with religious beliefs, whereas this Bill put the rights of one over the other, for that reason I voted against it at the third reading.”

Concerns the reforms could be scuppered were eased after culture secretary Maria Miller indicated she would accept Labour calls for an immediate review of civil partnerships - which was comfortably approved by the Commons.

Downing Street said it was "entirely consistent" with Mrs Miller's own amendment pledging a review five years after the introduction of gay marriage. It was seen as sufficient to persuade Labour MPs - most of whom support the reforms - not to vote in favour of Mr Loughton's amendment.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was Liberal Democrat policy that civil partnerships should be available to heterosexual couples but said he would not back amendments that would derail the Bill.

Senior Labour sources had initially indicated that they expected the party's MPs to abstain but later switched to voting against after an 11th-hour appeal from the Government that it "did not have the numbers". "Ed Miliband's priority is to ensure the equal marriages bill gets on to the statute book," they said.

A series of other amendments tabled by Tory opponents of the reforms were also defeated - including one which would have given registrars who objected to same-sex unions the right to refuse to conduct marriages which was backed by 150 MPs including 122 Conservatives.