Tory Councillor Suspended for Criticising Gay Pride Parades

A Christian Tory councillor who tweeted "Pride is not a virtue but a sin" has been suspended and is being investigated by Conservative headquarters.

Responding to images of pride parades organised by LGBT groups at the end of last month, Northamptonshire Councillor King Lawal, who claims he has since been 'cancelled' by six organisations, wrote "When did Pride become a thing to celebrate. Because of Pride Satan fell as an arch Angel. Pride is not a virtue but a Sin. Those who have Pride should Repent of their sins and return to Jesus Christ. He can save you."

The post included an image with a verse from Isaiah 3 verse 9, which said "Whatever God calls 'Sin' is nothing to be Proud of."

31-year-old Lawal said that soon after posting the tweet he was suspended by the local Conservative group and was forced to resign from his job at a nursing home. Councillor Lawal was also removed as a trustee from an organisation that helps children get access to green spaces and suspended as an academy council member for Weavers Academy, a state secondary school in Wellingborough, Northants.

Speaking to the press, Lawal said "As the only black councillor in the whole of Northamptonshire, I know what it is like to be in the minority, and I would never discriminate against anyone. I have diligently represented all my constituents; however, I must also be free to express my beliefs without fear."

"The blunt emails and cancellations I received were shocking and hurtful. There was no respect, no conversation and no reasonableness. There were times when my heart was pounding and everything was spinning out of control over one tweet. What has happened shows that I am not free and that this is not a free country any more. If it was free, I would be able to speak."