SAME-sex marriage could be introduced in the north via Westminster, the Secretary of State has said.
Karen Bradley said while it should be a matter for the Stormont Assembly, if it was to be raised at Westminster the government would give its MPs a free vote.
She was responding to a written question from Labour MP Conor McGinn, who asked if she would bring forward legislative proposals on equal marriage.
Mrs Bradley said: "In accordance with the Belfast Agreement, this is a devolved matter which should be addressed in the NI Assembly; but the power of the Westminster Parliament to legislate remains unaffected.
"If this issue were to be raised in Westminster, the Government's policy is to allow a free vote on matters of conscience such as equal marriage."
The DUP has previously used the controversial petition of concern mechanism at Stormont to veto bills aimed at introducing equal marriage. The party has argued that such legislation did not command enough cross-community support.
A group of campaigners, including Amnesty, trade unions and LGBTQ advocates, has repeatedly called for Westminster to legislate for marriage equality in the north.
Patrick Corrigan from the Love Equality campaign said Theresa May's government should actively intervene to bring the marriage law in Northern Ireland into line with Britain.
"We welcome the positive tone of the Secretary of State's answer today, that the government would allow a free vote on the issue, but it falls short of what is now required," he said.
