A leading Christian charity blocked gay Church of Scotland staff from taking up volunteering positions, a Helensburgh minister has reportedly said.

Scripture Union, an international evangelical Christian charity, runs Bible study groups in schools across Scotland, and requires volunteers to agree to a theological statement.

But according to a report in The Times, the Rev David Young, minister at Helensburgh Parish Church, told the Kirk’s General Assembly in Edinburgh: “A member of my staff was told she would not be welcome in helping to lead a Scripture Union group because she is in a same-sex marriage.”

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In his contribution to a debate on the issue on Wednesday, Mr Young said the incident he mentioned was not an isolated one.

The assembly agreed that the changes to the charity's values statement would “adversely affect volunteers”, and voted to hold “meaningful conversations” with Scripture Union to address it.

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The Kirk and Scripture Union Scotland have historically worked closely together.

Andy Bathgate, chief executive of Scripture Union Scotland, was reported as saying: “Recently Scripture Union Scotland has clarified its ethos statement for staff and volunteers, which does not mark a change in approach. We have always been open about the fact that we are a Christian charity.”