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UUP candidate accused of homophobia
Saturday, 27 February 2010
enlargeDavid Cameron’s Conservative Party could by left blushing after his political allies in Northern Ireland selected a councillor accused of homophobia to stand in the General Election.
Adrian Watson has been chosen by his Ulster Unionist constituency association to represent South Antrim in May.
The final nomination process has yet to be completed and although Mr Watson has tried to distance himself from the controversial comments made on radio in 2006, the Conservatives may decide to veto his nomination when he appears before the joint committee of senior officials next month.
The Antrim mayor caused offence to gay people after saying he would not allow gay and lesbian couples to stay at his bed and breakfast.
“The difficulty would arise because of the logistics of the bed and breakfast — if it was a same sex couple — and because my wife has strong Christian views, she felt it was difficult to facilitate that,” he said on the Stephen Nolan show.
However, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph this week, Mr Watson claimed his remarks had been misinterpreted.
“I have never called anybody a ‘homo’ in my life,” he said.
“I have no issue with the gay community. At that time there were some logistics problems which have now been sorted out. I have no problem with gay people and I have always made that clear.
“I would dissociate myself from the comment. I treat every member of the community with respect irrespective of their class, colour, creed or sexuality.
“I believe in equality and rights for everyone.”
Mr Watson is no stranger to controversy. In 2005 he described members of the Travelling community at a local halting point as “scumbags” and the “scum of the earth”, and in 2008 risked prosecution after tackling a burglar at his own home with a baseball bat.
The decision by the South Antrim Ulster Unionist Association to select Mr Watson was made in the same week the Tories launched a national programme promoting gay equality, prompting campaigners to urge David Cameron to reject his nomination. Jeffrey Peel, a member of the Conservative Party in Northern Ireland, said he agreed with the gay rights campaigners.
“I don’t know the guy but if he genuinely doesn’t welcome people into his bed and breakfast because of their sexual orientation, then I would be in absolute agreement with the gay rights campaigners on this case.
“I am not sure that the Conservative Party should be endorsing such a candidate.”
Last night a spokesman for the Conservatives stressed that Mr Watson was not yet a Tory candidate.
“He has not yet been selected so I can’t prejudice that process,” he said.
The Ulster Unionists said they were committed to equality.
A spokesperson said: “The Ulster Unionist Party has a strong commitment to a tolerant and inclusive Northern Ireland within the UK.
“This is illustrated by our 2007 Assembly manifesto commitment: ‘Ulster Unionists are proud of Northern Ireland's place in the diverse, pluralist, modern United Kingdom. We believe in a culturally diverse Northern Ireland in which the rights of all are secured within the Union. At the core of Ulster Unionist values is the conviction that all in Northern Ireland, irrespective of class, gender, religious belief, political opinion, sexual orientation, colours or race should share in the cherished position of equal citizenship in the United Kingdom.”
Speaking on Radio Ulster’s Stephen Nolan programme in 2006 Mr Watson said although he believed in “tolerance to the gay community”, he was not operating a five-star hotel. He said: “This is a bed and breakfast in a family home. Common sense has to prevail. There is no difficulty with members of the gay community phoning up and booking a room. The difficulty would arise because of the logistics — if it was a same sex couple — my wife has strong Christian views.”
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No they don't have the right to refuse anyone based on the gender of their partner (or perceived gender). That's illegal, period.
Posted by DB | 09.03.10, 14:58 GMT
No offence, but if you lot think that just because it's their home then they have the right to refuse anyone entry. Fair enough if it was just their home- but if it is a business then it must operate within the law. I don't know whether you know this or not, but it is in fact illegal to refuse goods or services to gay/lesbian people on the grounds of their sexual orientation. You lot need to crack open a law book!
Posted by CAT | 02.03.10, 03:44 GMT
Brenda, or is it Iris using some sort of pseudonym, could you explain why you have chosen to put natural in quotes?
You must be a catholic if you believe that sex is only for reproduction and, of course, if you feel that it is the the only important part of having an effective, loving relationship.
A relationship devoid of emotion is "unnatural."
And what exactly are "homosexual activities?"
Posted by Ulysses32 | 01.03.10, 11:07 GMT
If folk do not want certain individuals in their premises that is up to them! Watson has been made the victim of political madness! A lot of gays do not like heterosexual people so what? Gays should stop flaunting their so-called gender and stigmatising everything and anyone who will not agree with them!
Posted by Don King | 27.02.10, 19:04 GMT
Adrian Watson is a moral coward, any self respecting Christian would take that stance and stick to it, not go wobbly when the criticism flies
Posted by Darrell Monteith | 27.02.10, 17:43 GMT
It's wonderful in today's society in how we are not allowed, owing to political correctness, to have an opinion !
Posted by Robbo | 27.02.10, 17:33 GMT
slow news day?
Posted by John from Antrim | 27.02.10, 15:52 GMT
At the end of the day it's his family home, everyone has the right to say who comes in to their home, or have we lost that right as well in the grovel to political correctness.
Posted by Sam | 27.02.10, 15:37 GMT
Oh dear, how embarrassing! You really think this tiny story will make David Cameron blush? The only thing that's embarrassing is the journalism.
Posted by Stuart | 27.02.10, 14:48 GMT
I don't see what the problem is. I have no problem with gay people as long as they don't do anything gay anywhere near me. How could Mr. Watson ever be accused of blatant, immoral, cowardly and despicable bigotry?
Posted by Daniel | 27.02.10, 13:52 GMT
Typical.
Posted by Ted | 27.02.10, 12:33 GMT
I have strong christian views. God Loves all People and christ came to demonstrate this; he came to love. Not condemn. (John3v16&17)
My faith does not allow me to use Jesus to discriminate any section of the community. But see the God given potential and freedom found in him. All people are loved! even the UUP!
Posted by david | 27.02.10, 12:15 GMT
There is no issue here. His business his right to refuse entry to whoever he wants.
If anyone thinks this will impact on Unionist voters then they are sadly mistaken. If anything I fully support his stance and would suggest more ephasis be given to "natural" family units rather than the abnormal - that is not "natural" in that they cannot produce childern - homosexual activities of a minority within society.
Posted by Brenda Kellar | 27.02.10, 11:56 GMT
Shock horror - Adrian Watson isn’t a metropolitan social liberal.
Well Burnside, Forsythe and Molyneaux weren’t either and they somehow managed to get elected in South Antrim, often with huge majorities.
I would have thought that even a BT journalist would have realised that the obsessions that might dominate a trendy Notting Hill drawing room don’t necessarily play well in Antrim and Ballyclare.
There’s nothing Willie McCrea would like more than his main rival being shafted for holding Christian opinions.
As for Jeff Peel, he is the last person to accuse anyone else of being offensive, given that he says on his blog that all Orangemen are “sociopaths”.
Posted by South Antrim unionist | 27.02.10, 11:02 GMT