Iris in U-turn over ‘vile’ gay outburst
Robinson: ‘I meant to say child abuse is worse’
Monday, 21 July 2008
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Iris Robinson today made an apparent U-turn over her controversial comments that homosexuality is “viler” than child sex abuse.
The First Minister’s wife told the House of Commons, during a debate on the assessment and management of sex offenders, that “there can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality and sodomy, than sexually abusing innocent children”.
When contacted by the Belfast Telegraph Mrs Robinson said that homosexuality was “comparable” to child abuse and that she feels “totally repulsed by both.”
“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,” she said.
Later today however, she issued a fresh comment via the DUP press office stating: “I clearly intended to say that child abuse was worse even than homosexuality and sodomy ... at no point have I set out to suggest homosexuality was worse than child sex abuse.”
The Strangford MP’s comments have led her into her biggest controversy yet with politicians saying that serious questions have now been raised about her “fitness to be in a position of responsibility”.
“I have a live-and-let-live philosophy,” SDLP MP Alasdair McDonnell said. “I find it hard enough to live my own life without dictating to other people how they should live their lives. I think Mrs Robinson is pompous and condescending if she believes that she has a monopoly in wisdom.
“I do not agree with Iris in any aspect of this.”
Mr McDonnell added: “I am not going to tell her what to say. It is up to people to judge. They will maybe realise it is more than a bit bizarre. It raises serious questions about her fitness to sit in a position of responsibility.”
He added: “She is abusing her position. The sort of comments she is making — she may not intend it to be such — but they create space for all sorts of homophobic attacks.”
He added that the comments are “cruel” and should not be “wrapped up in a religious context”.
UUP MLA Basil McCrea said he believes Mrs Robinson has “crossed the line” and added that the DUP must make it clear if she is speaking for the party.
“What Northern Ireland needs is more tolerance and respect. It is completely unacceptable for her to say this. I am amazed. We need politicians who are sensitive to the needs of society. There is a limit to what can be said when expressing personal opinion and this is crossing the line,” he said.
He added: “We do not want to live in a society where everything is black or white. What we need is humanity, tolerance, support and guidance — not lectures from the Old Testament. The challenge goes out to the DUP now — is Iris Robinson putting forward party politics when she makes these statements?
“She is the First Minister’s wife after all. The DUP need to make themselves clear as to where they stand.”
Sinn Fein MLA Willie Clarke, of Stormont’s Standards and Privileges Committee, said that in light of these comments some people will be calling for Mrs Robinson’s resignation.
“I don’t want to curtail free speech but there is an onus on public representatives to represent the views of the whole community. When you become an elected representative you have to at times put aside your own views. These comments are appaling. The gay community is a very vulnerable group.”
Defending her comments, Mrs Robinson told the Belfast Telegraph: “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.”
Sources within the DUP said they believe the media is being unfair to Mrs Robinson in its coverage of her views and they should stop “hounding” her.
Mrs Robinson adds a PS to her own words...
Iris Robinson to Parliament
“We all agree that few issues arouse as much interest or concern in the community as that of sex offenders. The sentences served and their subsequent placement back in the community cause considerable disquiet among the public. There can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality and sodomy, than sexually abusing innocent children. There must be sufficient confidence that the community has the best possible protection against such perverts and it is important that there be a mature public debate on the issues, but the security of our citizens must be our overriding priority.”
Iris Robinson to Belfast Telegraph
“Can you think of anything more vile than man and man or woman and woman and sexually abusing children? 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 ... I am trying to reach out to people. That is what Christ teaches us ...
Anything I say is out of love. I am not hate-mongering. I cannot leave my Christian values hanging at the door when I go into politics. I am speaking out ... because we are getting it more and more rammed down our throats that minority views are more important than majority views. I am not trying to alienate anyone ... I do not turn anyone away. I would never water down anything with the scriptures and I don’t think I should. I find it amazing, if not unexpected, as these days Christians are persecuted for their views, but that will not stop me. There will be a Judgment Day. When I am judged I want to know I did all I could to spread the Word.”
Iris Robinson via DUP press office
“The remarks in the Grand Committee report do not accurately reflect my views. While I will be seeking to check the Committee recording, what I clearly intended to say was that child abuse was worse even than homosexuality and sodomy.
While I have strong views on homosexual activity based on the Scriptures, it can in no way be equated with child abuse. If that had been the impression I created at the Committee, I would have expected other Committee members to correct me immediately.
At no point have I set out to suggest homosexuality was worse than child sex abuse. There can be no comparison between the two. My entire contribution at that Committee meeting was about highlighting the gravity of sex offences and indeed calling for stronger sentences.
In my Christian and political life across a whole range of issues I have always sought to protect the rights and interest of the child. From my work as party health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee I know the horrific impact sexual abuse has on individuals and families, and I have sought to do my best to assist the victims of abuse.”
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Comments
377 Comments
If she had talked about being black in this way she would have been in serious trouble. The fact that she wasn't proves that society and the government are highly homophobic.
Posted by Rich | 26.03.09, 18:25 GMT
I have searched and searched and I have yet to find evidence that Iris Robinson even has a conscious. She is narrow minded and I pity her because she does not stop to think of how her words are affecting people. I am not homosexual but I have many friends that are and I am outraged by her homophobic comments. If she hates them so much. Why doesn't she go live in a hole. Homosexual people are as much a part of the community as heterosexual people and deserve to be treated with respect.
Plus, my best friend Alex is homosexual and her comments cut him deep. Maybe Ms MP should think about what she says before she opens her fat mouth.
Posted by Karoline | 13.11.08, 14:15 GMT
Iris
should learn to say the prayer
Lord help me to keep my big mouth shut until I know what I am talking about
Posted by John | 31.10.08, 10:32 GMT
We were planning a trip to Strangford to stay at the Narrows Hotel, looking forward to seeing such a beautiful place now that peace has returned to NI. After hearing about this woman's views, we won't be coming. We see no reason to contribute to the economy of a society that elects a person like this.
Posted by Sabine | 13.09.08, 10:44 GMT
What do the Scriptures say about majority and minority views? I don't remember reading anywhere that Christ advocated casting out the minority. If he had, it would have been a somewhat self-defeating thing to say in the Graeco-Roman pagan and Jewish world of Iudaea.
In fact, I seem to recollect that the Christ of the Scriptures was quite firm on the principle of non-judgment. When he lost patience, it was usually with those in positions of power who were abusing religious traditions to clothe themselves in the glamour of righteousness, when what they were really doing was preaching fear and hate. In the Gospel according to Matthew, I seem to recall, he says "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."
I think Iris Robinson is watering down the Scriptures to suit herself. I pity her, because she is living in fear and hate.
Posted by Duncan | 13.09.08, 10:01 GMT
As a gay Catholic up brings & of Irish desent! I am amazed at what this woman is saying about gays & lesbians. This is the 21st century. Growing up in the 70's & 80 in England life was very hard for people like myself, hard rough secondary school .....i managed to get thru it all keepin myself well back in "the closet" for many years, even though i was meeting men, just because of my background up bringin, IM SO ANGRY THAT A WOMAN LIKE THIS HAS FULL ACSESS TO THE PRESS!
& MAKING STATEMENTS LIKE SHE DID, thank you forlettin me reply anyway, good night
Posted by Jason | 24.08.08, 06:50 GMT
This woman has been living in the dark ages for the past 60 years or so. She should be hung out to dry and made an example of her narrowmindeness.
Posted by Adam JORDAH | 22.08.08, 11:32 GMT
how can anyone compare child abuse to homosexuality?everyone is made in 'God's image' are they not? Iris Robinson needs to keep her judgmental and narrow minded views to herself. seriously who is she to have the right to tell people how to live and what relationships are right and wrong? CONSULT US, DONT INSULT US.
Posted by Christine ^^. | 17.08.08, 02:56 GMT
"I cannot leave my Christian values hanging at the door when I go into politics." she says. Then Iris, you should never have entered politics. Religion and politics do not mix and and are a potent cocktail. Iris must resign from her chair of the NI Assembly Health Committee and apologise to almost 16,000 people who found her comments a disgrace and very hurtful.
Posted by LINDA | 14.08.08, 22:00 GMT
It's exactly this sort of hate preaching that keeps us locked in the dark ages. Get over it love, there isn't a god - religion is the comfort of the weak.
Posted by Bernard | 13.08.08, 23:56 GMT
"The bible, God's Word is accurate. Nothing in the bible has been proven false, ever."
I'm not too sure anything in the Bible has been proven true either. I think they call it faith. And capital B. Please have some respect for your own religion.
Posted by Michael | 07.08.08, 03:32 GMT
I just read Nigels comment, have to say i really feel sorry for you mate. a total lack of imagination from this chap. On a par with the world is flat and massive sea monsters. Curing homosexuals? From what exactly?? Total tosh, i am not homosexual, but really my head is in my hands reading this, i feel really sorry for you! you were obviously not at the front of the queue when God (who you seem to know quite well) wishing dishing out brains!
Posted by Michael | 05.08.08, 14:12 GMT
She's not fit for public anything, least of all office.
Posted by Patrick Ardagh | 05.08.08, 02:10 GMT
terry 15000 is 0.8% of all Northern ireland
but only 0.025% of all of the UK, which is covered by the Prime Minister's e-petition
Posted by Steve nireland | 04.08.08, 13:58 GMT
I think this is a disgrace. That this woman is able to make these comments and get away with it is unbelieveable.
When she was elected as an MP MLA, she was eleced by the community to represent the WHOLE community, by making these remarks she is allowing her beliefs to get in the way of this. This is a sure sign that this woman is not suitable for the job. We need politicians who will put aside thier personal views, no matter how strongly they believe in them, to carry out their role in representing and supporting the community as a whole, in doing so, treating all as equal in both their actions and their words.
Posted by Cara | 04.08.08, 00:49 GMT
Incidentally if any of you "so called" Christians want evidence that there are thousands out there who disagree with Iris you should take a minute to check out the Prime Minister's e-peteition website, where almost 15000 people have signed a petition to have the lady reprimanded....
Posted by Terry | 03.08.08, 18:07 GMT
Dear Nigel! It sounds to me like you need some serious help yourself! You say - "And incidentally a person can be healed of homosexuality because no-one is born that way. They are affected pre and post natally by mum wanting a girl and dressing him in dresses as an infant for example." Well I can tell you as a gay man I was born this way and my mother never dressed me up in girls clothes.... Clearly if this is your belief then your mother must have ranted on about the bible while you were in nappies....
Posted by Terry | 03.08.08, 18:04 GMT
This article does not report that Mrs Robinson said that she hates the sin, not the sinner and is not attacking any person by her comments only their actions. 'A Spokesman' described her as an extremist but it seems to me that she voiced exactly the teachings of the Catholic church on this matter. Homosexuals are active and welcome in the Catholic church but are encouraged to remain celibate and there are numerous Catholic support groups that help them to do this. And incidentally a person can be healed of homosexuality because no-one is born that way. They are affected pre and post natally by mum wanting a girl and dressing him in dresses as an infant for example. These sorts of traumas can be dealt with through specialist counseling and forgiveness. Deal with the issue (the cause) and the manifestation of of that issue is healed. Obviously this is a very simplistic account of a complex process for the sake of this post.
Posted by Nigel | 02.08.08, 20:48 GMT
Iris Robinson is an embarrassment to this country. She represents the narrow-minded views of a significant minority of insular individuals in Northern Ireland who are determined to look backwards into the future. This country needs forward looking individuals to lead us into a future which is not constrained by medieval Biblical rhetoric.
Posted by James | 02.08.08, 19:16 GMT
Homophobia is the same thing as racism.
If she had made racist remarks against black people and then said 'This is just my belief allowed by freedom of speech', she would have been persecuted.
Homophobia needs to be categorised with racism and hate crime, and religion needs to be categorised with mental retardation.
Posted by Bhav | 02.08.08, 12:08 GMT
377 Comments