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Ukip MEP sparks row over “offensive” gay wedding remarks

David Coburn
David Coburn

Scotland’s only Ukip MEP was last night accused of making “incredibly offensive” comments about people who support same-sex marriage.

David Coburn came under fire after he branded them “equality Nazis” and claimed the new law, which will allow gay people to get married on December 31, was “rubbing people’s noses in the dirt”.

The gay MEP, who was elected earlier this year, claimed the reforms would only matter to people who wanted to “dress up in a bridal frock and dance up the aisle to the Village People”.

Edinburgh Central SNP MSP Marco Biagi said: “It is incredibly offensive comments like these which go some way to showing why the latest poll has support for Ukip at just 2% in Scotland.

“They confirm why it is so dangerous for the Westminster parties to lurch to the right in order to pander to Ukip’s extreme agenda.”

Shetland Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott said: “The sooner that a power of recall is introduced for MEPs the better.”

Mr Coburn said: “What you’re doing with the gay marriage issue is you’re rubbing people’s noses in the dirt.

“Everyone had agreed and been quite happy with the idea of civil partnership, it was all bedded in and people were happy with it, they got used to the idea.

“But when you go across the road to pick a fight with someone of faith, that’s not got anything to do with it, that’s the equality Nazis trying to give Christianity a jolly good kicking.”

Mr Coburn claimed gay rights groups such as the charity Stonewall “explode” with outrage about everything.

“They are people looking for something to be upset about,” he added.

But Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland, said the majority of Scots do not share Mr Coburn’s views.

“He doesn’t see the fact that from December 31 lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people in Scotland will enjoy, for the first time, the same full rights as their straight friends and family as a cause for celebration,” he added.