The Government consultation on gay marriage should be scrapped because it is “wide open to abuse”, says Canterbury and Whitstable MP Julian Brazier.

He has written to Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone, claiming the online consultation form ‘lacks even the most rudimentary of safeguards’ to prevent it being hijacked by lobby groups.

It comes amid allegations that the form is being filled in by gay rights activists in California.

Mr Brazier has called on Ms Featherstone to tear up the consultation, which ends on Thursday, and start again with a robust and rigorous process.

The online form does not require a person to give their name, address, e-mail account address or even verify that they are a UK citizen.

Mr Brazier said: “Given the sensitive and important nature of the topic matter, it strikes me as highly unusual to rely on a completely anonymous internet survey that requires no verification of one-person-one-submission status, whether the person is a UK citizen, or even if they are a UK resident and entitled to take part.

“This lack of validation opens the door to abuse of the consultation, which could significantly skew the results.

“Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the policy, it is surely in everyone’s interests that the consultation is seen as fair.

“Government guidelines on consultations suggest all those taking part should receive feedback, but it is impossible in this case as no personal details are required."

A Home Office spokesman said: “We have ensured the equal civil marriage consultation is as open, fair and transparent as possible.

“We made clear when the consultation was launched that all responses would be treated as anonymous.”