British PM faces party revolt over gay marriage

LONDON (AFP) - British Prime Minister David Cameron faces a battle to placate traditionalists in his Conservative Party bitterly opposed to gay marriage ahead of a parliamentary vote on the contentious issue on Tuesday.

Mr Cameron has given strong backing to the plans to allow same-sex couples to marry, but they are fast becoming a highly divisive issue for his party.

The prime minister has promised lawmakers a free vote on the proposed legislation in the House of Commons on Tuesday, meaning party managers will not try to influence their choice.

But there is concern in Conservative ranks that more than half of the party's MPs could vote against the bill.