BBC News with Jerry Schmitt.

Republicans in the US Senate have blocked a controversial proposal to allow homosexual men and women to serve openly in the American military. They argue that military readiness will be damaged by reversal of the existing policy “don’t ask, don’t tell” which allows gay people to serve provided they don’t reveal their sexuality. Here’s Paul Adams.

The democrats needed 60 votes to move this legislation forward and in the end they failed by four – two of their own members voting with the Republicans. It’s a setback for President Obama who hoped to deliver on a campaign promise to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell”. The Pentagon is conducting a study into how repeal might be implemented, but Republicans and many in the military feared that it could damage morale at a time when the armed forces are fighting two wars.