EU: A European Parliament committee has rejected the nomination of Mr Rocco Buttiglione, an Italian conservative who believes homosexuality is sinful, as the new Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner.
A majority of MEPs on the Civil Liberties committee said that Mr Buttiglione should be dropped from the Commission altogether because of statements earlier this month about homosexuality and the role of women in society.
The committee's decision does not oblige the Commission President, Mr José Manuel Barroso, to sack the Italian commissioner-designate and the European Parliament cannot reject a single commissioner without rejecting Mr Barroso's entire team.
However, yesterday's vote could undermine Mr Buttiglione's authority if he takes on one of the EU's most sensitive portfolios.
The Sinn Féin MEP, Ms Mary Lou McDonald, a member of the Civil Liberties committee, called on Mr Buttiglione to step down.
"He has already admitted that he cannot reconcile his own personal views with professional ones. I am calling upon him to be replaced with someone progressive and open-minded," she said.
A devout Roman Catholic who is a close friend and adviser to Pope John Paul II, Mr Buttiglione told MEPs during his hearing this month that he believed homosexuality was sinful and that marriage was a sacrament ordained by God so that women can have children and raise them within a family. Mr Buttiglione insisted he was not calling for the prohibition of homosexual behaviour and that he opposed discrimination against gay people.
Despite his commitment to uphold the Constitution, however, Mr Buttiglione acknowledged that his moral views would influence his policies.
However he added: "I am ready to seek dialogue, which is normal in a democracy, but if there is a proposal that is contrary to my moral principles, I would oppose it," he said.
Leaders of the European Parliament's political groups will meet tomorrow to discuss the new Commission.