Tory minister branded a ‘disgrace’ as he obstructs bill to extend automatic gay pardons to those still alive
By Will Stroude
Tory MP Sam Gyimah has been accused of filibustering a private members bill which would see all living men who were convicted of anti-homosexuality laws in the UK automatically pardoned.
SNP MP John Nicolson had introduced the bill to extend automatic posthumous pardons – officially announced by the government yesterday – to living victims. He had previously explained his decision to the BBC’s Daily Politics, saying: “It’s great to forgive all the people who are now dead, but it’s kind of sentimental. I’m more interested in forgiving the people who are still alive, and have lived with this for decades.”
On October 19, the British government announced that up to 75,000 men who were convicted of now-abolished anti-gay sexual offences will receive automatic posthumous pardons. However, the move did not extend to those who are still alive, must still apply through the Home Office to have their name cleared through a “disregard process”, before receiving their pardon.
Today that private members was debated, however the discussions lasted for so long that the bill automatically fell before there was a chance to vote, after Tory Justice Minister Sam Gyimah seemingly allowed the debate to run past the 14:30pm deadline on purpose, as Sky News journalist Mollie Goodfellow reported via Twitter.
https://twitter.com/hansmollman/status/789457547241594880
https://twitter.com/hansmollman/status/789458486254075904
https://twitter.com/hansmollman/status/789458978610839552
Politicians and voters from across the political spectrum took to Twitter to condemn the obstruction, with SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon writing “shame on the Tories,” while one conservative voter branded his actions a “disgrace.”
Looks like minister @SamGyimah is going to talk this out, it is nearly 14.30pm, the time when Bill will fall if no vote granted @theSNP
— Margaret Ferrier MP (@MargaretFerrier) October 21, 2016
If @SamGyimah talks this Bill out, it will be clear for everyone to see that the Government's words are hollow. He will be to blame. https://t.co/8N1eIvORiY
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) October 21, 2016
Same old bigoted homophobic Tories. Filibustered #TuringBill
— adam mcquade (@AdamMcquade) October 21, 2016
I'm a Conservative voter but the behaviour of @SamGyimah over the #TuringBill is nothing short of a disgrace @wesstreeting @MrJohnNicolson
— Mark Ellison (@mark_a_ellison) October 21, 2016
Today @SamGyimah came to work to block a Bill to deliver justice for ppl imprisoned and chemically castrated for being gay. What a guy.
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) October 21, 2016
2016: @SamGyimah & Tory chums just made sure men convicted for who they chose to love won't have convictions overturned. #Turingbill
— Maurice Mcleod (he/him) (@mowords) October 21, 2016
Shame on @SamGyimah. Knew fine well what he was doing. Shame. No honour in what he did today, doesn't deserve the title.
— Nathan Sparling (@nathansparkling) October 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/hanifleylabi/status/789458337268137984
Shame on the Tories for this. Very proud of @MrJohnNicolson for bringing this Bill forward and speaking so movingly on it. #TuringBill https://t.co/WnjmyKKlaW
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 21, 2016
The bill will be debated again on December 16, according to reports.
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