UKIP selects candidate who claims gays should ‘repent and turn to Christ’
UKIP has reportedly selected a notoriously anti-gay Christian preacher as a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.
The UK Independence Party has recruited former Christian Party leader George Hargreaves to run for Parliament in Coventry South.
Mr Hargreaves is a former music producer who co-wrote Sinitta’s gay anthems ‘So Macho’ and ‘Cruising’ before becoming a politician – and actively opposing gay rights.
He stood against bisexual Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie in 2007, claiming that Mr Harvie is a “fundamentalist gay rights activist” and that his bisexuality is “sinful”.
He also said: “This is not about gay rights, it’s about gay wrongs.”
The preacher has also previously warned Parliament about anti-discrimination laws, claiming: “I am concerned that if Stonewall get their way Black Church Pastors like me could face up to seven years in jail for speaking publicly about our Christian beliefs.
“We preach that people need to repent of their sins (including sexual sins) and turn to Christ for forgiveness. This is the essence of our Christian faith.”
The preacher spoke against PinkNews founder Benjamin Cohen at an Oxford Union debate in 2013, arguing against the motion ‘this house would be glad to have gay parents’.
At the debate, Mr Hargreaves said: “Jesus loves you, but what you’re doing is wrong.”
Curiously, the local UKIP branch had already selected a candidate in the seat – who has been booted out in favour of Hargreaves.
Mark Taylor – who was asked to step aside by central office – said: “The party rules allow this to happen. I’m struggling with it, but I have agreed to it.
“I could have said no, but I have decided to step aside. I will still be running in the local elections but I’m disappointed, there’s no doubt about it.
“I’m genuinely surprised at what has been done. I don’t know why they chose me to step aside.
“I’m going to stay loyal, I’m not going to walk away from UKIP over this.”
