Senior figures in the Church of England have backed a Christian counsellor after she treated a gay man who said he wanted to be cured of his homosexuality.

Senior bishops today claimed Christians in Britain are being “treated with disrespect” while followers of other faiths are dealt with more sensitively.

Homosexual, bisexual and transsexual people should be treated with “compassion” and as equal Christians, according to a new Church of England guide published today.