LONDON (CWNews.com) - Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday claimed that attempts to stop him from repealing Section 28 -- the law which forbids the promotion of homosexuality in schools -- was dominated by a "mischievous propaganda campaign" motivated by anti-gay prejudice.

    Speaking in the House of Commons, Blair said, "This campaign is based on people who don't want to come out and say they are prejudiced against gay people, so they hide behind the issue of child protection."

    "No child is going to be forced to take part in gay sex lessons in school," he continued. "These lessons would continue to be the prerogative of teachers, parents, and (school officials)," the prime minister said.

    Britain's private schools -- which are not bound under Section 28 -- were also warned yesterday that they could be sued under new human rights legislation, which comes into force in October, if they banned homosexual relationships between pupils over 16 or forced pupils to attend church.

    In a speech to the Institute for Public Policy Research, Home Secretary Jack Straw said that private schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and charities could all be taken to court if they do not do more to prepare for the upcoming Act, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into British law.

    Straw said, "The Act will not only affect individuals, it will affect any organization dealing with the public."