Humanist marriage move could open way to surge in sham weddings, claim registrars They are backing an amendment to the marriage bill, currently being scrutinised in the Lords, which would allow other groups to conduct legally recognised weddings. The change could mean that, for the first time, an organisation would be granted the right to conduct weddings rather than it being tied to specific locations or the church. It has led to claims that the change could open the way for "Jedi" weddings or groups like "tiddlywinks clubs" applying for the right to solemnise marriage - a possibility the humanists have dismissed as scare stories. The Government has been reluctant to support such a change to the system at this stage. But, following a debate in the Lords last week in which several peers voiced support for the amendment, Baroness Stowell, who speaks for the Government on equalities issues, agreed that ministers would "reflect further" on the possibility. But in a letter to Maria Miller, the Culture Secretary, copied to several peers and MPs, Jacquie Bugeja, chair of the NPR, argued that the change could undo efforts to crack down on sham marriages. "If the range of marriage providers were to be opened up to other organisations, this could severely compromise the commitment and close working relationships that currently exist and dilute this important work," she wrote. "It is our view that the criminal "wedding arrangers" would use this as a way to get sham marriages solemnised." Pointing out that registrars have to go through strict training to ensure legal formalities are complied with, she added: "It is our view that the wider the range of people who are able to offer the service, the greater the likelihood of the law not being followed, thus demeaning the whole status of marriage." But Mr Copson, said: "Some of these comments are based on simple ignorance of what is proposed, others have more of a whiff of the closed shop about them - but none of them offer any reason at all why humanist marriages shouldn't be made legal. Groundless insinuations that our celebrants are any less qualified or competent than others fly in the face of the huge popularity of our ceremonies, their excellent reputation, and the warm and widespread support that has been expressed for their legalisation in both Houses of Parliament and in the country. It is very sad that a public official is using their position to make such insulting and baseless comments. The Government's Marriage (Same - Sex Couples) Bill is due to complete its committee stage in the Lords on Monday.