A county clerk from Kentucky who was jailed after refusing to issue marriage licences to gay couples has said she will not block licences being issued by her colleagues.
Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, 49, who has said her beliefs as an Apostolic Christian prevent her from issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples, said licences would state they are being issued under a US District Court order.
Ms Davis, who returned to work on Monday, told a news conference any marriage licences issued would not carry her name, title or her personal authorisation.
She added she would take no action against deputy clerks who issue licences, although she does not believe they have the authority to do so.
The issuance of marriage licences to same-sex couples in Kentucky and other states has become the latest focal point in the long-running debate over gay marriage that has continued after a US Supreme Court ruling in June that extended the practice across the country.
US District Judge David Bunning ordered Ms Davis to be jailed for contempt on September 3 for refusing to comply with his order to issue licences in line with the Supreme Court ruling. He ordered her release five days later when it emerged the licences were being issued by deputy clerks.
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