EXCL Tory minister says DUP deal should be used to speed up LGBTQ equality in Northern Ireland
2 min read
The Conservatives should use their £1.5bn deal with the DUP to secure a "timetable” to improve equality in Northern Ireland, a senior minister has said.
Margot James - who in 2010 became the first openly lesbian Tory MP - said the agreement allowing Theresa May to stay in power was “an opportunity” to further LGBTQ and women’s rights in the country.
The Prime Minister sparked fury among campaigners when she signed the deal with the anti-abortion and anti-gay rights UIster unionists after losing her Commons majority at the snap general election.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson was among those demanding Mrs May press the DUP on gay rights.
Mrs May was forced to reassure her own party that there would be no concession on equality issues in exchange for the DUP votes that would prop up her minority government.
She later had to head off a rebellion from her backbenchers by accepting a landmark change allowing Northern Irish women free abortions on the NHS in England.
Business minister Ms James said she would be pressing Number 10 to improve the situation in Northern Ireland, where same sex marriages are prohibited.
“I see it as a slight opportunity to try to win round the DUP to an understanding of why equality is important,” she said in an interview with the House magazine.
“And why women’s rights, particularly in respect of abortion, are important… I haven’t had time to raise it yet but it’s something I would like to pursue.”
She added: “I know quite a number of the Northern Irish MPs, and we should take advantage of our relationships with them to see if we can’t secure some sort of timetable to a better environment in Northern Ireland for women and LGBTQ people.”
HOMOSEXUALITY 'OBNOXIOUS'
DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr has previously called homosexuality "immoral, offensive and obnoxious" and said he was "repulsed" by gays and lesbians.
The party - which was founded on evangelical Christian principles - has consistently blocked attempts to introduce gay marriage in Northern Ireland and campaigned alongside the Save Ulster from Sodomy movement.
Party leader Arlene Foster has rejected claims the DUP is homophobic and insisted critics do not understand its stance on LGBT rights issues.
“They are wrong and they need to understand why we take those positions from a faith point of view and why we want to protect the definition of marriage,” she said.
“I could not care less what people get up to in terms of their sexuality, that’s not a matter for me: when it becomes a matter for me is when people try to redefine marriage.”
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