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UKIP’s David Coburn: Gay rights movement has died because of ‘equality Nazis’

Jun 06 2015
Written by Nick Duffy

UKIP’s only openly gay MEP has claimed that the gay rights movement has “died” because of “equality Nazis” – after his party was banned from marching at Pride in London.

Scottish MEP David Coburn, who is UKIP’s most senior openly gay politician , made the claim after Pride in London claimed it could not allow members of UKIP LGBT+ to march on grounds of “safety”.

He tweeted that “controlling authoritarians are equality Nazis”, adding: “the Gay Rights Movement in UK died last night with the exclusion of members of [UKIP]”

UKIP’s David Coburn: Gay rights movement has died because of ‘equality Nazis’

He also claimed that the gay rights movement had been “exposed as a left wing sham” by the incident.

Mr Coburn is no stranger to making controversial comments – facing calls to resign earlier this year after comparing SNP minister Humza Yousaf to convicted terrorist Abu Hamza.

He also previously branded Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson a “fat lesbian” and compared then-SNP leader Alex Salmond to dictator Robert Mugabe.

Despite being gay, the UKIP MEP is a fierce critic of the gay rights movement, regularly claiming that same-sex marriage supporters are “equality Nazis” – and that the Lib Dems and Labour want to ban him from having sex.

UKIP members have told PinkNews they are considering ignoring the decision from Pride in London, and marching in the parade without permission.

Richard Hendron, the former UKIP candidate for Brentford and Isleworth and organiser of the Pride contingent, told PinkNews “I and other members of UKIP have put a lot of time and effort getting everybody within UKIP on board and then getting the entry and organising our participation.

“It is a massive blow not only to us and UKIP, but to equality and inclusion – something that Pride purports to promote.

“The reasons giving for withdrawing our participation are fanciful and nothing more than puff.

“I am currently considering our legal position and all options remain on the table, including seeking an injunction and or defying them and marching on, marching for equality and inclusion regardless of the consequences.”