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Tim Farron apologises for 'fake' tweet comparing gay people to fish and frogs | Tim Farron apologises for 'fake' tweet comparing gay people to fish and frogs |
(34 minutes later) | |
New Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has apologised after a tweet was sent from his Twitter account that compared gay people to fish and frogs and suggested homosexuality was curable. | New Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has apologised after a tweet was sent from his Twitter account that compared gay people to fish and frogs and suggested homosexuality was curable. |
The offensive remark came in response to a tweet from the British Humanist Association, who shared findings that “huge proportions” of health workers in the UK believe homosexuality is ‘curable’. | The offensive remark came in response to a tweet from the British Humanist Association, who shared findings that “huge proportions” of health workers in the UK believe homosexuality is ‘curable’. |
Replying to the post, a tweet from Mr Farron’s account wrote: “they can be, most sexual disorientation is caused by chemical leaching..check out the fish and frogs.” | Replying to the post, a tweet from Mr Farron’s account wrote: “they can be, most sexual disorientation is caused by chemical leaching..check out the fish and frogs.” |
The tweet has now been deleted and Mr Farron posted an apology. | The tweet has now been deleted and Mr Farron posted an apology. |
I am investigating after a fake and malicious tweet appeared to be posted from my account this evening. I apologise for any offence caused. | I am investigating after a fake and malicious tweet appeared to be posted from my account this evening. I apologise for any offence caused. |
According to research by the Stonewall charity, one in 10 healthworkers in the NHS and private health sector has been in a situation where a colleague has expressed the belief that being LGBT is curable. The proportion jumps to two in ten healthworkers in London. | |
Mr Farron’s strong Christian convictions have prompted questions about whether he is in step with the rest of his Lib Dem colleagues on gay rights’ issues. | Mr Farron’s strong Christian convictions have prompted questions about whether he is in step with the rest of his Lib Dem colleagues on gay rights’ issues. |
He abstained at the third reading of the bill to introduce same-sex marriage and voted against what became the 2010 Equality Act, which made discriminating against gay people in the workplace illegal. | |
He said during his campaign for the Lib Dem leadership that it was a matter of "regret" that this had been "misread" as him being "lukewarm" to equal marriage. | He said during his campaign for the Lib Dem leadership that it was a matter of "regret" that this had been "misread" as him being "lukewarm" to equal marriage. |
He has promised to put the fight for LGBT rights at the “top of my agenda”. | He has promised to put the fight for LGBT rights at the “top of my agenda”. |