UK: Anti-gay marriage group uses MP’s photo without permission
The main group campaigning against equal marriage in the UK has used a Conservative MP’s photograph on its publicity leaflets without her permission.
The Coalition for Marriage (C4M) handed out the leaflets in the Truro area of west Cornwall and urged residents to object to the government’s equal marriage plans for England & Wales.
Sarah Newton, the Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth, said it wrongly implied she supported the group.
Ms Newton said she was angry at the misrepresentation and intended to seek legal advice.
“A lot of constituents have contacted me really distressed because of some of the language in the leaflet,” the BBC reports.
“And because my photograph is there, they believe that I’m endorsing these opinions and I’m absolutely supporting their campaign – which of course I’m not.”
The MP said her contact with the anti-gay Coalition for Marriage had been to invite it to provide a speaker for a public debate due to be held in Truro on Friday 18 January.
It will be chaired by the MP and the Bishop of Truro, the Right Reverend Tim Thornton, who opposes equal marriage.
Although Ms Newton has said she personally supports proposals to allow same-sex couples to marry, according to the West Briton newspaper, she has indicated that her final voting decision will rest on the views of people taking part in this week’s debate.
