Conservative MP Andrew Turner quits in disgrace after claims he told class of school students being gay was ‘wrong’
Isle of Wight MP stands down after declaring homosexuality as 'wrong' during question and answer session with sixth-formers
A VETERAN Tory MP was forced to quit in disgrace after claims he told students homosexuality is a “danger to society”.
Andrew Turner was also alleged to have declared being gay is “wrong” as he addressed a class of sixth-formers on the Isle of Wight.
Within hours of the controversy, the Conservative Party announced the 63 year-old would not be standing in the upcoming Election.
A source said: “This is not the kind of language we welcome.”
Mr Turner has represented the Isle of Wight for 16 years and won in 2015 with a crushing 40 per cent of the vote.
His incendiary comments emerged when a student revealed answers the MP is said to have given during a politics question and answer session at the Christ the King College in Newport.
Esther Poucher, a campaigner for LGBT rights, asked if he was planning on attending the Isle of Wight’s first ever gay pride event.
She wrote on Facebook: “He told us that he’d been invited, but wasn’t intending to go. This is because (and this is a direct quote) he thinks that homosexuality is ‘wrong’ and ‘dangerous to society’.
“At this answer, I had to leave.
“It’s terrifying that in this age and point in our development as a society there are still people that can’t care enough about a person’s wellbeing to just accept who they are.”
In a statement Mr Turner said: “I have come to the decision that it is time for a new generation to take up the mantle of representing my fantastic constituents.”
His dismissal came in a day of controversy for the Conservatives.
Fellow Tory backbencher Jack Lopresti called in the police saying he had been the victim of a “vicious smear campaign” from people wanting him to step down as MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke.
The MP left his wife for fellow backbencher Andrea Jenkyns after Christmas 2015 and the pair have since had a child.
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Separately, Tory MP Philip Hollobone revealed a pact with UKIP which will see the rival party stand down a candidate in Kettering.
Mr Hollobone said the parties were “on the same side” on Brexit – and that he backed their views on a burka ban.