A homophobic Russian politician has taken a dim view of Britain allowing gay nationals to marry at its embassy in Moscow.

Yesterday, a measure allowing British same-sex couples to marry at British consulates in 23 countries, including Russia, came into force.

The UK Government said the list of countries was limited because British missions are only able to provide a same-sex marriage service in countries where it is not possible for British nationals to have such a marriage under local law.

Local authorities also needed to grant permission for the missions to conduct consular marriages of same-sex couples.

Vitaly Milonov, city councillor and author of St Petersburg’s homophobic censorship law, the inspiration for Russia’s federal ‘propaganda’ ban, was not impressed by the UK’s decision.

“The British consulates can do whatever they want,” Mr Milonov told The Moscow Times. “They can marry monkeys and register perverts for all I care.”

Last month, Mr Milonov urged Russia to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest, branding it a “sodom show”, due to the participation of Austrian drag singer Conchita Wurst.

Wurst went on to win this year’s contest.

In August 2013, Mr Milanov said that gay people were not “normal” and compared being gay to living “with a dog, with a horse, with a sheep, whatever.”