Tory candidate for Soho denies suggesting gay sex is immoral
A Tory candidate who wants to represent London’s gay district has denied suggesting sex between two men or women is immoral.
Hillary Su, who is standing as a councillor in the borough of Westminster in next month’s elections, weighed in to a debate on Twitter last May over the former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron’s views on gay sex.
A tweeter posted: “Why the intense scrutiny of Tim Farron’s stance on gay sex – but none for Theresa May?”
In a reply to her followers, Su wrote: “The right to private life, however immoral, is what free society offers – so long it doesn’t [sic] interfere with others or break laws.”
She also accused Farron, a committed Christian, of failing “to defend his own faith because it was too inconvenient.” Ahead of the May 2017 general election, Farron faced criticism over his reluctance to say gay sex was not a sin.
Tim Farron eventually said he did not believe gay sex was a sin but later admitted regretting compromising his faith (Ben Stansall/Getty)
Related: Tim Farron admits he misled the public about his views on gay sex
Su denied making a moral judgment on the matter.
She told the Daily Mirror in a statement: “I do not make judgements about people’s relationships or what people do in private and it was never my intention to suggest otherwise. As a Christian, I believe we should embrace love and celebrate it wherever it is found.
“I am proud of the Conservative Party’s record on equality, including the historic step of legalising equal marriage and I will always support equal rights and the people I represent.”
Su’s remarks were first revealed by BuzzFeed on Monday. Su reportedly told the website, “Who I am to judge?” in answer to the question of whether she thought gay sex was immoral.
The Admiral Duncan pub, a gay venue in Soho, was the target of a homophobic bomb attack in 1999
Su’s Twitter account, which is now private, describes her as a broker, FinTech StartUp director and Nasa fan.
She has also tweeted about her support for Jacob Rees-Mogg, a prominent anti-abortion Conservative MP and devout Catholic who once said he was “completely opposed” to abortion even in cases of rape and incest.
In the run-up to Theresa May’s ill-fated snap election last year, former Lib Dem leader Farron eventually said he did not believe gay sex was a sin after days of pressure. However, in January, he said he regretted being forced to compromise his faith.
Sir Vince Cable, who succeeded Farron as leader of the Liberal Democrats, distanced himself from the remarks of the MP, who is now the party’s environment spokesperson. Cable said he “strongly disagreed” with Farron’s “personal views.”
Related: To sin or not to sin: an open letter to Tim Farron
Soho, in the heart of London’s West End, is known for its nightlife, sex shops and gay district.
In 1999, the Admiral Duncan pub, a popular gay venue, was targeted in a nail bomb attack by a Neo-Nazi intent on stirring up ethnic and homophobic tensions. Three died and about 70 were injured.
PinkNews has contacted the Westminster Conservatives for comment.
