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Iris Robinson takes her homophobia one step further
Iris Robinson
Homosexuality as bad as child abuse, according to controversial Northern Ireland MP
"I cannot think of anything more sickening than a child being abused. It is comparable to the act of homosexuality."
The controversial Northern Ireland MP, Iris Robinson, has gone further in her attacks on gay men and lesbians saying that she can imagine "no viler act" than child abuse, apart from "homosexuality or sodomy". And has refused to renounce her words delivered during a Commons committee meeting on protecting children from sex offenders when challenged. "There must be sufficient confidence that the community has the best possible protection against such perverts," she went on.
When challenged by the Belfast Telegraph to explain - or recant - her homophobic remarks, Robinson, who is married to Northern Ireland's First Minister, said, "What I say I base on Biblical pronouncements, based on God's word. I am amazed that people are surprised when I quote from scriptures. I cannot think of anything more sickening than a child being abused. It is comparable to the act of homosexuality. I think they are all comparable. I feel totally repulsed by both."
It is not the first time the Northern Ireland Assembly has been brought into disrepute by the homophobic rantings of one of its members. Former minister Ian Paisley Jr. recently stated, not entirely grammatically "I am pretty repulsed by gay and lesbianism. I think it is wrong. I think those people harm themselves and - without caring about it - harm society." Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on that occasion remarked that Paisley was certainly not speaking on behalf of the Assembly.
