Philip Lardner, the Conservative Party’s candidate for North Ayrshire and Arran wrote on his website that homosexuality was ‘not normal’.
The full text, as reported by PinkNews follows:
‘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. The promotion of homosexuality by public bodies (as per ‘clause 28’/section 2a in Scotland,) was correctly outlawed by Mrs Thatcher's government. Toleration and understanding is one thing, but state-promotion of homosexuality is quite another. Why should Christian churches be forced by the government to employ homosexuals as ‘ministers' against all that the Bible teaches? They are being forced by the government to betray their mission – would the Equality and Human Rights Commission be fined for refusing a job to Nick Griffin? Christians (and most of the population) believe homosexuality to be somewhere between ‘unfortunate’ and simply ‘wrong’ and they should not be penalised for politely saying so – good manners count too, of course. The current ‘law’ is wrong and must be overturned in the interests of freedom as well as Christian values.’
Andrew Fulton, the Chairman of the Conservative Party in Scotland explained the suspension:
‘The views expressed by Philip Lardner, the candidate for North Ayrshire and Arran, are deeply offensive and unacceptable and as a result he has been suspended as a member of the Conservative party. We therefore do not support Mr Lardner’s candidacy in the North Ayrshire and Arran constituency. These views have no place in the modern Conservative party.’
Tim Montgomerie, co-founder of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, and editor of Conservative Home responded:
‘I see no evidence for hatefulness in Mr Lardner’s remarks, even though I disagree with his choice of words. Although he’s probably wrong to say "most of the population’ share his views, they are shared by many conservative Christians and people of other faiths. His suspension by the Scottish Conservative Party seems a disproportionate response.’
The Conservative Party has recently come under pressure from the homosexual lobby after Chris Grayling, the Shadow Home Secretary, supported the right for Christian Bed and Breakfast owners to refuse homosexual couples a shared room. Facing calls for his demotion, Mr Grayling then changed his mind (see CCFON report).
Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of CCFON, said: “It appears that the Conservative Party no longer tolerates the orthodox Christian view regarding homosexuality within its ranks. Mr Lardner’s views are held by many Christians across the country who may now have to think twice before supporting the Conservative party party on May 6.”