Russian gay laws prompt ambassador demand

The Russian ambassador must be called in by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore over an anti-gay clampdown in the country, ahead of next year’s winter Olympics, a leading Fine Gael TD has urged.

Cork South Central TD Jerry Buttimer has joined a growing wave of international concern about the Russian government’s new legislation, which has been branded “homophobic”.

US President Barack Obama has expressed alarm about new anti-gay laws imposed in the country, and British broadcaster Stephen Fry has compared Russia being allowed to host the Olympics with the Nazi Berlin games of 1936.