Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson got ‘categoric assurance’ from Theresa May to protect LGBT rights
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has said she spoke to Prime Minister Theresa May to get “categoric assurance” that LGBT rights will not be affected by a Deal between the DUP and the Conservatives.
The Conservative Party failed to get an overall majority in yesterday’s General Election, and must now try to secure an agreement with another party in order to govern.
The Tories are currently in discussions with Northern Ireland’s ultra-conservative Democratic Unionist Party, which is strongly opposed to LGBT rights.
The DUP has stalled all progress on equal marriage in Northern Ireland, and previously supported the introduction of a ‘conscience clause’ to protect people who discriminate against LGBT people.
Ms Davidson, who is set to marry her partner Jen Wilson, spoke to the BBC to say she had spoken to Mrs May and that she asked for assurances on LGBT rights.
“I asked for categoric assurance that if any deal was done with tehDUP that there would be no rescission of LGBT rights in the rest of the UK,” she said.
Ms Davidson also went on to say that she hoped that relationships with Northern Irish parties would help to influence policy there on LGBT issues.
Stonewall also today urged the Tories to keep their promise to LGBT people and not permit progress to equality to be harmed under the DUP.
Ms Davidson’s plans to marry her partner were delayed this year after she was hit with a £10,000 vet bill when her dog was hit by a car.
She announced her engagement to Jen Wilson on Twitter last May, having popped the question while on holiday in Paris.
She was congratulated by the then Prime Minister David Cameron, whose government introduced gay marriage legislation.
Davidson attracted headlines during last year’s Conservative leadership contest when she refused to criticise Andrea Leadsom – Theresa May’s main opponent – who had called gay marriage “harmful”.
She even invited Leadsom, who went on to lose to Theresa May, to her wedding.
Davidson also revealed last year that she dreams of following in the steps of former Labour MP Ed Balls – and compete on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
“I want a bit of that action,” she said of Ed Balls’ appearance on the show.
