Del Thomas’s Facebook page, 1527hrs, today.
In a hastily-deleted tweet, Conservative candidate Del Thomas compares gay people to Paedophiles.
Del Thomas, in his thirties, is a street pastor, Tory campaigner, and primary school teacher.
He stood for election in Victoria ward, Southend, in 2012, losing to Labour Councillor Ian Gilbert. It is unknown whether he intends to stand again in 2014.
His remarks have caused outrage on both Facebook and Twitter, with members of the public responding with outrage. One fellow Tory campaigner, Lucy Cox, wrote:
“You are making a comparison with two people who love each other and want to make a lifelong commitment to each other, to someone who abuses children?! And you are a teacher? I am pleased you will be nowhere near mine.”
UPDATE: 5th February. Dels comments were used as an example of homophobia in politics on the influential Left Foot Forward blog, with a link back to this blog post. See the Left Foot Forward article here.
Jack Monroe. Twitter: @MsJackMonroe
Categories: Angry Bird, Comment, News
Tags: Southend
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Jack: re. my mate delboy, you say “And you are a teacher? I am pleased you will be nowhere near mine.” well I say: I would be pleased to have him near mine – he’s a good teacher and a good person – but the quote (taken possibly out of context?) does seem a bit daft though. But he’s entitled to his opinion like any of us – and he’s no homophobic bigot (I know – I street pastor with him!).
John, that was a quote from Lucy Cox who said it on his Facebook page. I’ve always found Del to be a community spirited guy. I just found this comment difficult to swallow.
No probs Jack. Gay folk, understandably, are often miffed when people talk about them and pedophiles in the same sentence. I will speak to Del (nicely) when I seen him next. The young (by my standard) whipper snapper needs to be brought to task from time to time
I was out last night doing street pastoring with Del. I mentioned this exchange. He told me he has apologized and clarified his “offending” remarks in his own blog: http://togetherinvictoria.wordpress.com/. Having just read it, I agree what he said and why he said it. Gay marriage is an emotive subject with strongly held views on both sides. We should (but often don’t) share our views based on reason and fact and with grace and sensitivity. I hope this is something we are all going to learn.