Tyson Fury invited to Parliament to discuss views on homosexuality
Heavyweight champ Tyson Fury has been invited to Parliament by a gay MP to discuss his views on homosexuality.
In a video which surfaced last week, he says that once homosexuality, paedophilia and abortion are all made legal, the world will end, and claims to have “newspaper evidence” that supporters of a fictional ‘Gay Rights Act 1977’ were also in support of legalising paedophilia.
Later in the interview, discussing Olympic medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill, Fury says: “What I believe is a woman’s best place is in the kitchen and on her back. That’s my personal belief. Making me a good cup of tea, that’s what I believe.”
After a petition calling for his nomination for the BBC’s Sports Peronality of the Year to be dropped, now at 53,000 signatures, Fury hit out in a new video.
Saying critics can “suck my balls”, Fury defended his views on homosexuality and women. On the petition, Fury said it was signed by “50,000 wankers”.
Now Labour MP Chris Bryant has invited the boxing champ for tea at the House of Commons to discuss his views.
Speaking to the Murnaghan programme on Sky News, Mr Bryant said: “In part, I’m joking obviously about going head to head with him, but again I think in politics it is possible to change people’s minds.”
On whether he was appropriate as a nominee for the BBC Sports Person of the Year award, Mr Bryant said: “No I don’t. In the end it’s not for me to tell the BBC what to do with their programme or for that matter Sky.”
He went on: “My real problem is that Tyson has equated homosexuality with paedophilia and actually that is a very dangerous equation to make because it means that we don’t take child abuse seriously.”
Mr Bryant raised the issue in Parliament on Thursday, saying: ”I gather Mr Fury has subsequently said that some of his best friends are gay.
“So can I suggest that we invite him to Parliament some time in the near future because frankly I am quite happy to go head to head with him.”
Speaking today, Mr Bryant said: “He’s not replied… Mr Fury please get in touch come to tea at the House of Commons and we can talk about your issues.”
After a petition calling for his nomination to be dropped, now at 53,000 signatures, Fury has taken to Twitter – to claim he doesn’t want the award anyway.
The boxer wrote: “Hopefully I don’t win @BBCSPOTY as I’m not the best roll model in the world for the kids, give it to someone who would appreciate it [prayer emojis].”
However, he also added: “I’ve got more personality than all the other competitors put together in this years @BBCSPOTY who can compete with my sporting achievement!
“The Gypsy King, & the heavyweight champion of the world, will not be silenced I’ll always speak my mind, Like it or lump it, in Jesus name.”
Despite his comments, the BBC says it will not alter the nominations.
A spokesperson said: “The Sports Personality shortlist is compiled by a panel of industry experts and is based on an individual’s sporting achievement – it is not an endorsement of an individual’s personal beliefs either by the BBC or members of the panel.”
Yesterday a challenger to Tyson Fury’s heavyweight champ title warned him to watch his mouth.
