Mrs Jones, who was the board's independent chair for over two years, said the board had made "significant strides" in protecting children.

BBC: Rochdale��s Safeguarding Children Board chair resigns

Mr Straw said that after the Lords in May passed its amendment aimed at protecting churches from the bill's provisions, he had taken peers' worries on board and redrafted that part of the bill.

BBC: News | UK Politics | MPs approve Human Rights Bill