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| Lib Dem leader Farron: I absolutely support equality | Lib Dem leader Farron: I absolutely support equality |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| New Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron says he "absolutely supports equality" amid questions over his Christian faith and politics. | New Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron says he "absolutely supports equality" amid questions over his Christian faith and politics. |
| Earlier this week, he refused to answer the question of whether he believed homosexual sex was a sin. | Earlier this week, he refused to answer the question of whether he believed homosexual sex was a sin. |
| But he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show he was "passionate about LGBT-plus rights" and defending equal marriage would be "at the top of my agenda". | But he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show he was "passionate about LGBT-plus rights" and defending equal marriage would be "at the top of my agenda". |
| He also said he wanted to extend the marital rights of transgender people. | |
| Appearing on Channel 4 News on Friday, Mr Farron, who beat Norman Lamb to the leadership, was asked three times if he believed homosexual sex was a sin. | |
| Each time, he refused to give a direct answer, instead choosing to say "my firm belief is we are all sinners". | |
| 'Extend the law' | |
| Mr Farron was asked by Andrew Marr why he voted against the Equality Bill in 2007 - a law which would have made it harder for businesses to discriminate against gay people. | |
| "Let me be crystal clear, I'm a liberal and I absolutely support equality," he replied. | |
| "I'm passionate about LGBT-plus rights, for example, and as the leader of a liberal party, that is something that will be at the top of my agenda throughout the time that I am leader of our party. | |
| "Not just defending the law on equal marriage, but also saying there are areas where it needs to be extended." | |
| Mr Farron said transgender people currently did not have equal access to marriage due to something known as the spousal veto - which means the husband or wife of someone who has changed gender must give their consent in order for the marriage to continue. | |
| He said the Lib Dems tabled an amendment to the Equality Bill because of concerns about "protection of individual liberties" and when that was defeated he voted against the bill. | |
| He did not answer directly when asked what those concerns were, but said: "I am absolutely in favour of equal access under law for all people whatever their sexuality." |