The former Ulster Unionist MP Lord Maginnis has quit the party, he announced today.
He has been a member for 50 years, but announced his decision to resign his membership after the leadership distanced themselves when he referred to gay marriage as “unnatural and deviant behaviour”.
Lord Maginnis later insisted he stood by his remarks, referring to “unnatural physical acts” by “deviants”.
He added: “These are people that seem to take some pride expressing their particular rights. I disagree with those rights and that deviance.”
Party leader Mike Nesbitt and senior party members were clearly embarrassed by his attack and today he said it was time to leave.
Lord Maginnis (74) from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, and the former MP for Fermanagh-South Tyrone said: “I have agonised over the last three months. Currently there is no room for independent or logical thinking (within the party) and that does not suit me.”
PA