Arkansas Governor Stops Religious Freedom Bill

Arkansas' governor has said he will not sign the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act until changes are made to the hugely controversial legislation.

Asa Hutchinson said his own son, Seth, had signed a petition against the bill, which is similar to one passed last week in Indiana that has provoked nationwide uproar amid claims it is anti-gay.

The Republican said he wants his state to be known as one that "understands tolerance".

Governor Hutchinson said he backs a religious freedom law, but wants it to directly reflect the federal version signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

He did not say whether he would veto the bill if lawmakers fail to amend it.

His remarks come a day after the measure passed the state House and his office said he would sign it into law.

Governor Hutchinson has faced pressure from retail giant Walmart and other top employers in the state, warning that the act would stifle economic development.

Hillary Clinton, the presumed Democratic presidential candidate and former first lady of Arkansas, weighed in ahead of Governor Hutchinson's announcement.

She posted on Twitter that the religious freedom bill "goes beyond protecting religion, would permit unfair discrimination against LGBT Americans".

Indiana Governor Mike Pence provoked outcry when he signed that state's measure, but on Tuesday he called for tweaks to address concerns it allows discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Supporters of the legislation say it will prevent the government from forcing people to provide services they find objectionable on religious grounds.

But opponents fear the measure will allow business owners such as caterers, florists, photographers and bakers to refuse to serve LGBT people.

Twenty US states and the federal government have passed so-called religious freedom laws, which allow individuals to sue the government if they believe their religious rights have been violated.

But Indiana and Arkansas' versions go further than most by covering private business transactions.

Indiana has taken the brunt of the backlash.

Companies like Apple - whose chief executive Tim Cook is openly gay - Levi's, Marriott and Yelp rebuked the Midwestern state.

States such as Connecticut and cities including San Francisco banned their government employees from travelling to the Hoosier state.

The row has proved an early ideological litmus test for some of the Republican White House contenders.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Florida Senator Marco Rubio rallied round Indiana's governor.