NEW rules allowing women who have children via IVF a wider choice in who they name as the second parent come into force next month.
The change will remove some of the obstacles lesbian couples and single women face when trying to get access to fertility treatment.
Currently the law states that for married couples the husband is automatically recognised as the legal father, and this will remain the case.
However, from April 6 the same principle will be applied to lesbian civil partners, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said.
Tory MP Ann Widdecombe said: “Every child has got a right to a father and this bill for the first time quite deliberately creates a situation where children are being born without a father.”
