Robinson denies ‘gays worse than child abuse’ claim

A POLITICIAN in the north was last night at odds with House of Commons record keepers as she sought to distance herself from comments claiming homosexuality was worse than child sex abuse.

DUP MP Iris Robinson, who has already sparked controversy over her views on the gay community, was recorded as telling a Commons committee on June 17 that homosexuality was more vile than the abuse of children.

Last night, Robinson, the wife of First Minister Peter Robinson, said the comments attributed to her in the official Hansard record, which have only just emerged, did not reflect her views.

She said she would have the quote checked, but Commons officials last night said a recording showed Iris Robinson was quoted accurately.

Alliance Party executive director Gerry Lynch said the remarks went beyond the right to freedom of speech: “In any normal society, Iris Robinson’s comments would be grounds for resignation.

“It is now high time for Iris Robinson to end her crusade against the gay community,” he said.

Robinson is recorded as having told a Commons committee on the management of sex offenders: “There can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality and sodomy, than sexually abusing innocent children.”

She quoted the Bible to back her belief that homosexuality is an abomination and later opposed a liberalising of abortion legislation by stating government should uphold God’s law.

Last night, Robinson said: “At no point have I set out to suggest homosexuality was worse than child sex abuse.

“There can be no comparison between the two.”

She said her contribution to the committee aimed to highlight the gravity of child sex offences.