Davidson hits out over equal marriage

LAW: Calls made for gay marriage to be legalised across the Irish Sea

Ruth Davidson has criticised the Conservatives’ UK Government partners for failing to introduce equal marriage in Northern Ireland, suggesting the policy is causing gay people to attempt suicide.

The Scottish Tory leader claimed she has been assured by Prime Minister Theresa May that the UK Government will seek to influence the Northern Irish executive to change the law.

Her statement came as First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, Patrick Harvie from the Green Party and Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie all voiced support for a law change across the Irish Sea.

Ms Davidson, who is engaged to her partner, Jen, also said she has lobbied DUP boss Arlene Foster on the issue.

In an article for The Times, she wrote: “To me it seems anachronistic to tell our young people: you’re good enough to serve in our armed forces; you’re good enough to care in hospitals; you’re good enough to teach in schools; but you’re not good enough to marry the person you love and who loves you. That idea of difference is at the root of all bullying.”

Ms Davidson added: “In Northern Ireland more than 90% of young LGBT people say they face homophobic language in school; 70% of those bullied had death threats; at least 33% have attempted suicide.”

Ms Davidson has been openly critical of the DUP’s stance on a number of social issues since it emerged their 10 MPs would support the UK Conservative Government on a confidence and supply basis. She, too, has come under fire, however, after terms of the deal included £1.5 billion for Stormont and nothing for Scotland’s budget.

Ms Sturgeon said she was proud that gay marriage had been introduced in Scotland. “The debate over equal marriage in Scotland did more than just simply allow people to marry, it also helped to challenge negative attitudes that still exist today in our society towards LGBTI people and show, quite simply, that same-sex couples are just as valued as opposite sex couples,” she said.

Ms Dugdale added: “I know there will be opposing views on this and the debate must be conducted courteously, but I firmly believe it’s time for LGBT people across the whole of the UK to enjoy the right to marry who they want.”

Greens co-convener Mr Harvie said: “We must not settle for the current treatment of same-sex couples in Northern Ireland, or just accept that the prejudice of the DUP will never be overcome.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Mr Rennie said equality in marriage for everyone was a “mark of a society”.

“The world has not collapsed since we introduced it in Scotland,” he said.

The DUP has used a controversial Stormont voting mechanism – the petition of concern – to prevent a law change, despite a majority of MLAs supporting the move at the last vote. The party rejects any suggestion it is homophobic, insisting it is instead protecting the “traditional” definition of marriage.

It failed to respond to a request for comment on Ms Davidson’s article.

Picture: Getty. Ruth Davidson has lobbied DUP leader Arlene Foster over the issue of equal marriage.