The individual, who was born male but underwent gender reassignment surgery, had been told to wait until reaching 65.

They were told to wait until the male state pension age on the basis they decided not to annual their marriage.

Known as MB, they had chosen to stay married to their wife on the basis their commitment to wed was made “in the sight of God”.

But, the European Court of Justice has now ruled that a transgender person is not required to annul a marriage they entered into prior to transitioning gender, in order to receive a pension.

Transgender people can have their change formally recognised in the UK by acquiring a full “gender recognition certificate”, according to the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

Under that law, the document was conditional on a married person having their marriage annulled – a move intended to avoid same-sex marriage – which was illegal at the time.

After deciding to live as a woman in 1991 and undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 1995, MB did not apply for the paperwork.

On reaching her 60th birthday in May 2008, MB applied for a state pension but was refused because she was still, legally, male.

Having divided judges at the UK Supreme Court (pictured above), the case was referred to the European Court of Justice for guidance.

According to the ECJ, the UK’s marriage annulment…

Faith groups will join members of the Sink the Arms Fair Coalition to call for an end to such events.

Around 1,100 people from more than 40 countries are expected at the three-day Undersea Defence Techology conference at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) which will discuss new subsea weaponry and technology.

A protest is planned for 10am and a prayer calling for peace is due to take place at noon.

The convention team for Glasgow City Council arm’s length organisation Glasgow Life has provided practical support for the event and campaigners have written an open letter of protest to the council and other politicans.

The venue for the event is run by a company 90 per cent owned by the local authority.

Rev Dr Richard Frazer (pictured above), convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland, said: “We are disappointed that Glasgow City Council has chosen to support an international festival of the arms trade.

Take a look at our #UDT2018 conference agenda & discover this year’s themes: https://t.co/SgnoPacay7 #undersea #defence #military pic.twitter.com/y62kuq56a7

— UDT 2018 (@UDT2018) June 17, 2018

“To facilitate such a gathering is deeply uncomfortable at a time when so many innocent people around the world are suffering from effects of war and the damage and destruction caused by weapons.

“Such a venture may bring income for some Scottish…

The King of Queens star tweeted: “Dear people citing The Bible: It’s a cool book with some wonderful passages but it also has ghost sex & giants & super babies & demons. It’s why we don’t make laws based on Game of Thrones, My Little Pony or Legend of Zelda.”

While Oswalt is known for his atheist beliefs and more than 200,000 people liked his tweet, many users weren’t left laughing from the comedian’s comment.

Sylvan Rodriguez tweeted: “Oh perhaps because the words within it being peace and joy to literally billions of Christians. I don’t see Patton denigrating any other religious texts or religions the way he does Christians and our Bible. Would he be so flippant if talking about Muslims and the Koran?”

Dear people citing The Bible:
It’s a cool book with some wonderful passages but it also has ghost sex & giants & super babies & demons. It’s why we don’t make laws based on Game of Thrones, My Little Pony or Legend of Zelda.

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) June 15, 2018

Another user responding said: “Dear person who tweeted this. I don’t care about your opinion of me reading/citing/believing in the Bible. It’s my choice, my believe. It’s called freedom of religion.”

Oswalt’s tweet was in reference to people quoting the Bible in the discussion over separating families at the US-Mexico border.

President Donald Trump’s executive order U-turn has since ended family separation at the border.

Stay up to…

The comedian and actor depicted the American leader as a Roman solider nailing Christ to the cross in an artist piece he described as “Christianity, Trump style”.

The image was accompanied with a caption written by Carrey: “Jesus was a loser. A failed carpenter. He’s a saviour because he was crucified. I like people that weren’t crucified.”

It has been seen and shared tens of thousands of times across social media.

Responding to the image, Twitter user @phatcapon wrote “there is some truth to this”, while another called @Susej137 said “[you] literally hit the nail on the head with this one, Jim”.

But the striking image was not so well received among everyone, with @JillV373 responding: “This one is extremely difficult for me to read and to look at.”

Meanwhile, another user, @powdercheese_, said: “I feel sorry for you, Jim.

“Not because you mocked Trump it’s because you mock your Lord and saviour… as a Christian I ask you kindly and wholeheartedly please repent repent and repent!

“There’s a place for fools who mock God and it’s really bad.”

Carrey, 56, has been an outspoken critic of immigration policies introduced during the Donald Trump administration. In a recent tweet, he equated Trump’s ideology with discrimination, saying “Trumpism is racism”.

The entertainer also caused a Twitter storm earlier this year after…

The Catholic leader was handed the yellow T-shirt by the Governor-General of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove during a meeting at the Vatican on Monday.

Speaking through the translator, the South American-born pope asked: “Does he [I] have to put in on?”, to which Sir Peter replied: “No, no, no. Not now. When you’re watching the game”.

Last year, Francis, who comes from Argentina, was presented by the former President of Peru Pablo Kuczynski with a football jersey of the national football team.

A statement released by the Vatican press office said global and regional migration, and climate change were discussed.

A statement continued: “Mention was also made of the role of the Church in Australian society, and the current discussion on the protection of minors and vulnerable people, reiterating the commitment of all members of the Church in this regard.

“Attention then turned to the social situation of the country, and to the question of peace and stability in the entire region of the Pacific and of Asia.”

Australia’s clash with Peru kicks off at 3pm UK time inside the First Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia.

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The youngest member of the royal family was born on 23rd April and will be christened in a service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt Rev Justin Welby, at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, on 9th July.

A statement from the palace said the service is due to take place from 4pm and last around 40 minutes with further details announced on the day.

Louis, a younger brother to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, is fifth in line to the throne and a great-grandchild of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

George was also christened in the Chapel Royal, but Charlotte was baptised at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham.

Louis was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, on St George’s Day, weighing 8lb 7oz.

The baby prince, who will be 11 weeks old at the time of the christening, will be welcomed into the Christian faith dressed in the same frilly, cream gown used for George and Charlotte.

The robe is a replica of the intricate lace and satin dress made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter in 1841.

Prince Louis’ godparents will be expected to be announced on the morning of the christening, with William and Kate again likely to choose mostly close friends for the role.

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