William Hague defended yet another homophobic Tory candidate today, Philippa Stroud - who founded a church that tried to "cure" homosexuals through prayer.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague defended yet another homophobic Tory candidate today, Philippa Stroud – who founded a church that tried to “cure” homosexuals by driving out their “demons” through prayer. Stroud, the Conservative Party PPC for Sutton and Cheam, is head of the right-wing think tank The Centre for Social Justice, a group David Cameron addressed in a keynote speech on “Broken Britain” last Tuesday.
Hague, speaking on BBC Radio 5 this morning, also defended the Tories’ anti-gay far-Right allies in Europe, and said Stroud’s case was different from that of Philip Lardner, suspended from standing for the Conservatives in North Ayrshire and Arran, who had said homosexuality was “not normal”. To describe Stroud as homophobic, insisted Hague, would be “false” and “misleading”.
Listen to his interview:
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, criticised Stroud, telling today’s Guardian:
“It would be highly regrettable if someone who continued to hold these views held any significant office in government.”
This is just the latest in a series of anti-gay stories about Tory MPs, candidates and allies in recent months; these include the homophobic remarks of Chris Grayling and Julian Lewis. Both men remain members of David Cameron’s front bench team.
88 Responses to “Hague defends Tory PPC who “tried to ‘cure’ gay people””
Bill Kristol-Balls
Oh to be a fly on the wall at the first cabinet meeting of a new Tory government –
David Cameron – Well, great to see you all, now lots to do, lots to do. Before we start though, Nick and Alan, could you just go next door with Philippa. Lovely, thanks very much. That’s it, close the door behind you. Excellent.
Now, George, you reckon we can get a few million by selling off the Sure Start centres but just clarify something for me, is that including the kids or can we get extra for t…
THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU. THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU. OUT DEMON, OUT OUT OUT. THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU. THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU. ALAN STOP LAUGHING. FOUL DEMON. OUT OUT OUT. WILL YOU TWO STOP KISSING EACH OTHER
OK. item 2…
KATE BUTLER
RT @leftfootfwd: Hague defends Tory PPC who "tried to 'cure' gay people": http://bit.ly/9ocbEX
Alex Martin
RT @davessidekick: My favourite Willie: Hague defends Tory PPC who "tried to 'cure' gay people": http://bit.ly/9ocbEX #phillippastroud #ukelection #manishsood
Al D
RT @davessidekick: My favourite Willie: Hague defends Tory PPC who "tried to 'cure' gay people": http://bit.ly/9ocbEX #phillippastroud #ukelection #manishsood
Secular Gay
RT @sunny_hundal: BBC finally asks about PhillipaStroud; William Hague tries to pretend she did nothing wrong: http://bit.ly/9ocbEX (by @leftfootfwd)