The leader of the Muslim Council of Britain has said religious leaders should join together to voice their opposition to ?harmful? civil partnerships and sexual diversity.

Sir Iqbal Sacranie told BBC Radio 4's PM programme that homosexuality is ?not acceptable? and that the new civil partnership laws would be detrimental to society.

?If you look into the scientific evidence that has been available in terms of the forms of various other illnesses and diseases that are there, surely it points out that where homosexuality is practised there is a greater concern in that area," he said, adding that despite his beliefs, he was committed to tolerance.

Most recently, the leader of Scotland's Catholic Church hit out at the new laws, which gave marriage rights to same-sex couples, saying the government was focussing on promoting ?alternative lifestyles? too much.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien urged a policy reassessment from the government, arguing that traditional marriage was of more benefit to the community.

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