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'I don't know whether he regards homosexuals as possessed by the devil, but someone ought to ask him'
Boris Johnson
Peter Tatchell criticises Boris for attending 'homophobic' pastor's service
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has criticised London mayor Boris Johnson for his willingness to attend a carol service hosted by a pastor who has opposed gay equality legislation.
Johnson is due to attend a carol service 9 December at Jesus House in Barnet, a Pentecostal church affiliated with the Nigerian-based Redeemed Christian Church of God, whose chairman is Pastor Agu Irukwu.
Irukwu, the leader of Jesus House and Johnson's host, was one of nine clergymen who signed a 2006 letter to the Daily Telegraph objecting to the Sexual Orientation Regulations. It said that the new law was a "discrimination against Christians" because it would force them to "accept and even promote the idea that homosexuality is equal to heterosexuality".
Tatchell said: "Boris Johnson has made a big mistake by agreeing to attend a carol service hosted by a homophobic clergyman. Pastor Agu Irukwu is a long-time opponent of gay equality. His faith opposes civil partnerships and the fostering of children by same-sex couples.
"I don't know whether he regards homosexuals as possessed by the devil and supports the exorcism of gay people, but someone ought to ask him.
"Boris should investigate the people who invite him before accepting their invitations. He should not attend this church, for the same reason that he should not attend a church where the pastor preaches against black or Jewish people or against equal rights for women or Muslims.
"The mayor of a multicultural city should not collude with a preacher who rejects diversity and opposes the human rights of lesbian and gay people."
