New gay marriage law 'will impact on adoptions,' say Russian officials

Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Human Rights Envoy (Getty Images)

Leading Russian officials say that Britain’s legalisation of gay marriage will mean a harder time for any Brits wishing to adopt Russian children.

“The British and French parliaments have legalised same-sex marriages,” said Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Human Rights Envoy. “This narrows the chances of citizens of these countries adopting Russian children.”

Earlier this week, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Pavel Astakhov, said that under no circumstances would gay couples from any country be allowed to adopt Russian children. Mr Dolgov’s words take this further: it seems that now, even straight couples from countries like Britain where gay marriage has been legalised will be subject to extra hurdles.