Former Government minister Tim Loughton was sacked because of his opposition to redefining marriage, according to reports.

He was removed from his ministerial post in September’s Government reshuffle, and close friends say it was because of his support for keeping marriage as it is.

One Tory MP told the Scotsman newspaper: “Tim was a really good minister whose career was wrecked because of his stance on this issue on a matter of principle.

“It shows that, already, this bill is poisoning the party and destroying careers.”

David Cameron promised that Tory MPs would have a free vote, but behind the scenes a lot of pressure was applied to stop them breaking rank.