UKIP-supporting Christian publisher defends ‘depraved sodomites’ newsletter
The head of a Christian publishing firm has defended printing a UKIP-authorised group’s newsletter referring to gay people as “depraved sodomites”.
The newsletter was printed by Printbridge, formally Print By Design, based in Bodmin, Cornwall.
Earlier this month, UKIP attracted criticism for the material, which claimed being gay was a “vice”, and that Manchester Pride resembled a parade of “wickedness”.
The fringe group, Christian Soldiers of UKIP, distributed the newsletter and urged readers to boycott Asda due to its support of Manchester Pride.
A UKIP spokesperson responded by saying that Christian Soldiers of UKIP was an “authorised” but not “official” group, adding: “This leaflet was recently brought to our attention. Authorised groups are not allowed to invent UKIP policy, and we do not consider that this leaflet is of an acceptable standard to be associated with the UKIP brand.”
The managing director of Printbridge, Chris Wallis, has defended the decision to publish the newsletter, saying he did not necessarily support the views expressed by Christian Soldiers of UKIP.
Asked if he had thought twice before printing it, Mr Wallis told the Cornish Guardian: “No. We get so much work on our desk; sometimes you don’t get the chance to read all of it over.
“Neither do we endorse every single thing that we print. We make no bones about supporting UKIP, and it’s true we do get a lot of work from them. We make no bones that we are a Christian family firm either.
“Yes, we would like to read every single word that we print, but that is simply not possible.”
Elizabeth Biddulph, a member of Christian Soldiers of UKIP, said she stood by the group’s decision to publish the newsletter, which she said objected to the way some teachers on the pride march had shouted at Christian protesters: “It’s the shouting. It was the way these men who were half-dressed were taunting the Christians who were there singing hymns,” she said.
