Conservatives face deep splits on Section 28 with hard-line traditional moralists and socially tolerant reformers at odds.

Iain Duncan Smith has been told that his stance on new gay rights legislation could lead to a resignations from either the traditionalist or the modernising faction of the shadow cabinet.

Ministers are preparing new moves to scrap the Section 28 law banning local authorities from promoting homosexuality in the next parliamentary session.

The Telegraph reports that Torch, a group representing homosexual Tories, has applied for formal affiliation with the party.