THE Catholic Church in Scotland has become embroiled in a row over David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s plans to change the laws on royal succession.

Peter Kearney, spokesman for the church in Scotland, claimed existing legislation which bars any Catholic from taking the throne is “nothing but state-sponsored sectarianism” and backed a call from First Minister Alex Salmond to change the “indefensible” law. 

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg confirmed yesterday he and Prime Minister David Cameron are in talks to change royal succession rules to allow a first-born daughter to take the throne.

Following the announcement, Mr Salmond said he had written to Mr Cameron to demand any consideration for reform must also include the provision in the 1701 Act of Settlement which bars Roman Catholics from ascending to the throne.

“Mr Salmond’s intervention is welcome,” Mr Kearney said. 

“The law is nothing but state-sponsored sectarianism. If the laws of succession are being reviewed this would be the perfect time to right that particular wrong.”

He added: “It would be an act of monumental hypocrisy if the laws were changed in part rather than in full.”

Mr Salmond last night confirmed he planned to press the UK Government to change the law which bars a Catholic succession.

The First Minister said: “It is important that the opportunity is taken to have a more wide-ranging reform of the laws of succession, so that the equally indefensible discrimination in the 1701 Act of Settlement which bars a Catholic or anyone married to a Catholic from ascending to the throne is wiped from the statute book and finally consigned to history.”

There have been several attempts to change the 1701 Act of Settlement since 1981 but all have failed because of a lack of Government support.

However, pressure to amend the law been growing since Prince William announced his engagement to Kate Middleton in November last year.

Mr Cameron warned progress may be slow as legislation would require to be changed in all 16 countries of which the Queen is head of state.

In 1999 an SNP motion calling for the repeal of the bar on Catholics ascending to the throne was passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Salmond added: “Eighteenth-century discrimination should have no place whatever in our 21st-century society. It is time for the Act of Settlement to be dealt with once and for all. We need action to remove this stain.”

A Cabinet Office spokeswoman confirmed discussions had started with Commonwealth countries that would be affected and said all aspects of the Act of Settlement would be considered.

She said: “The Government accepts there are provisions which could be discriminatory. Discussions have started with those Commonwealth countries who would be directly affected.”