News from Labour Matters

Tory gay group calls for Tory MEP to be “officially reprimanded” in homophobia row

The row over claims made by Roger Helmer, Conservative MEP for the East Midlands, that homophobia was “merely a propaganda device designed to denigrate and stigmatise those holding conventional opinions” continues to cause alarm and condemnation.

Helmer tried to pull back from what he said but this seems to have failed to quell criticism from within his ranks. Matthew Sephton LGB Tory Chairman says that he is “completely disgusted with Roger Helmer’s words”.

“To suggest that homophobia is not a real and everyday experience of many LGBT people in Britain and the world today is sheer lunacy. I am sure that Michael Causer’s family for one would certainly attest to that.

“Roger Helmer is wrong in what he said and should be officially reprimanded by the Party for these words and for the sentiments that lie behind them and which, aside from anything else, amount to a betrayal of the fundamental Conservative ideals of equal opportunity to all individuals, without exception.”

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