David Cameron says he sacked
homophobic candidate 'within minutes'
David Cameron said his party had changed
Conservative Party leader David Cameron said he took the decision to
sack a homophobic Scottish candidate "within minutes" of finding out
about his views after PinkNews.co.uk informed the Conservative Party of the
offensive views on the candidate's website.
Philip Lardner, the candidate for North Ayrshire and Arran, was
suspended from the party yesterday after PinkNews.co.uk reported that his
website contained offensive comments about
homosexuality.
Mr Cameron said yesterday while campaigning that he had taken action
against Mr Lardner "within minutes".
He said: "I think people in the gay community know it is easier for
people who are Conservative and gay to vote Conservative than at any time
before.
"The Conservative Party has been on a journey. Has it been far
enough and fast enough? Perhaps not, but it's gone further than many other
parties around the world."
Mr Cameron has been criticised by Labour for "failing" to take
action against two senior party members who made comments about homosexuality
during the election campaign.
Mr Lardner, a primary school teacher, had written on his campaign
website: "I will always support the rights of homosexuals to be treated
within concepts of (common-sense) equality and respect, and defend their rights
to choose to live the way they want in private, but I will not accept that
their behaviour is 'normal' or encourage children to indulge in it."
He also said that Section 28, which outlawed the "promotion"
of homosexuality in schools, was correct, and said that "most people"
believe homosexuality is "somewhere between 'unfortunate' and simply
'wrong'."
Mr Lardner's name will remain on ballot papers as it is too late to
withdraw them. The Conservative Party will not be fielding another candidate in
the Labour safe seat.
In the last month, Mr Cameron has been criticised by Labour for
"failing" to take action against members of his party who have been
accused of making anti-gay statements.
Last month, shadow home secretary Chris Grayling was recorded saying he
agreed bed and breakfast owners should have the right to bar gay couples if
they wish.
He later apologised and said he believed it would be "wrong"
for gay couples to be turned away from businesses.
Meanwhile, PinkNews.co.uk revealed last week that Julian Lewis, the incumbent
MP for New Forest East and shadow defence minister, told a constituent that he
was against equalising the age of
consent for gay men
as he believes gay sex carries a high risk of AIDS.
A PinkNews.co.uk poll carried out last week suggested that support for the
Conservatives among the LGBT community had dropped in the last year.
It found 58 per cent of almost 1,000 LGBT voters said they intend to
vote Liberal Democrat next week, compared with 21 per cent for Labour and just
nine per cent for the Tories.