Elton John slams Australia's prime minister

Elton John has criticised Australian Prime Minister John Howard's position on gay marriage.

The musician, on an Australian tour, was asked if he had a message for John Howard, whose government overruled a local law allowing gay unions in June.

"Up yours!" replied the outspoken star, who "married" his partner David Furnish in a civil ceremony last year.

The Australian Capital Territory - the area around Canberra - became the first part of the country to legally recognise gay relationships when it voted on the issue in May this year.

However, many members of Mr Howard's conservative government opposed the change, and the law was invalidated.

Mr Howard denied the move was homophobic.

"It is not a question of discriminating against them," he said. "It is a question of preserving marriage as an institution in our society".