UKIP Deputy Leader: Labour’s plans to tackle homophobia are ‘a disgrace’

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

The Deputy Leader of UKIP has claimed that Labour’s plans to tackle homophobic bullying in schools are “politically correct nonsense”.

Earlier this week, Labour announced plans to make inclusive Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) compulsory in all state schools, in a bid to tackle homophobia and sexual abuse.

The plan, will ensure all teachers are trained to deal with homophobic bullying, as well as as making age-appropriate SRE more LGBT inclusive, and compulsory in all state-funded schools, including academies, free schools and voluntary aided institutions.

However, the Deputy Leader of UKIP, Paul Nuttall, has slammed the plans as a “disgrace” – citing a Daily Mail headline that falsely claims pupils will have “Sex lessons at 5 under Labour”.

Mr Nuttall said: “Children deserve their innocence, which is precious and already under attack from every direction. It needs to be protected not defiled by those tasked with their care.

“If Tristram Hunt thinks this is a progressive move he is totally wrong and his justification that it will help tackle homophobic bullying is just politically correct nonsense.

“This proposal is just further evidence of how out of touch Labour is with the families they purport to represent and a very good reason not to vote for them.

“Rather than helping tackle problems of domestic violence and rape in future years, as given as another woolly reason for introduction, it is going to confuse and worry these little children.

“Currently such lessons are only given to children of secondary school age and that is the way is should remain. It is the preserve of parents who think their children are ready for basic sex education at an earlier age to inform them.”

Mr Nuttall previously defended calls to ban people with HIV from the UK.