David Cameron is coming under increasing pressure after a covert tape-recording in which Chris Grayling said hotel owners should be allowed to ban gay couples.
David Cameron is coming under increasing pressure not just to sack but de-select his shadow home secretary over a covert tape-recording in which he says hotel owners “should have the right” to bar gay couples from their premises. Chris Grayling’s remarks, published in today’s Observer, run contrary to the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 – legislation he voted for.
Grayling was caught saying:
“I personally always took the view that, if you look at the case of should a Christian hotel owner have the right to exclude a gay couple from a hotel … that individual should have the right to decide who does and who doesn’t come into their own home.”
His comments echo those of Adrian Watson, Tory/UUP candidate for South Antrim who was forcibly de-selected by Cameron after he said he would feel “uncomfortable” having gay couples stay in his bed and breakfast, adding his family “could be upset”.
Grayling’s secret comments, described as “very alarming” by Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, are not just the latest in a series of embarrassments to the Conservative party high command, but the latest in a long line of regressive, anti-gay remarks from Tory candidates and allies in recent weeks.
A fortnight ago, the Tory leader himself, in an interview with the Gay Times, failed to commit to supporting the Alli amendment in the Lords which would allow civil partnership ceremonies to be performed on religious premises. He also backed the Tories’ far-Right, homophobic allies in Europe. Watch it:
On Tuesday, Left Foot Forward reported Tory councillor Denis Knowles’s comments about “an unusual group of young boys leafletting … of the limp wristed variety”; Knowles later wrote “Just joined Chris Grayling MP and Leah Fraser on a visit to the Allandale “Youthworks” in Seacombe…”
And on Thursday, Left Foot Forward revealed further details of the leader of Cameron’s MEPs Michal Kaminski’s past: He was active in a 1500-strong neo Nazi skinhead movement. In 2000, he gave a TV interview in which he refers to homosexuals as “pedaly”, literally pedals which is the near equivalent of “faggots” but also implies paedophilia. When the interviewer said it was an offensive term he repeats it: “What should I say – they are pedaly.”
Cameron has never condemned Kaminski or his remarks, and is yet to censure Grayling.
60 Responses to “The nasty party’s Easter resurrection”
beth watson
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Tank the Tories
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Niles Cooke
And what about Harman’s past links to what almost amounts to, with it’s acceptance of adult-child sex, a British version of NAMBLA? Now that’s nasty.
I read quote the other week from a female Labour MP (quote supplied if needed) stating that not only doesn’t she have any Conservative friends, she wouldn’t want to have any either. Now that’s bigotry.
G
If you are Christian you should simply not set up a business. You are not allowed (even in a private business)discriminate against any racial or minority group because of your religious beliefs.
There is a choice, offend people and be charged, or be offended and… well your Christian you do not matter.
Robert
Chris Grayling has been treated extremely leniently by David Cameron for months, what with his being rather casual with statistics and now this episode.
In 2005 Howard Flight was promptly and ruthlessly dropped by Michael Howard for tipping his nose to a private group of friends that there might be scope for tax cuts by an incoming Tory government contrary to Michael Howard’s express policy on the matter. Flight was sacrificed “pour encourager les autres” and very effective it was, too.
Mr Cameron really does need to flex his muscles to silence loose tongues otherwise his government, should it be his duty to form one in May, will rapidly degenerate about his ears as he will be seen to be a weak and inconsistent leader.
Heir to Major.