Britain has duty over gay rights, says PM

Theresa May has said Britain has “a special responsibility to help change hearts and minds” on gay rights in the Commonwealth.

The prime minister also voiced her deep regret at anti-gay laws in many Commonwealth countries, which were put in place under British rule, adding the UK stood ready to help modernise outdated legislation.

It came after Tory backbencher Nigel Evans said too many Commonwealth countries still had discriminatory legislation on their statute books.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs May said: “We have a special responsibility to help change hearts and minds on these issues within the Commonwealth.

“I addressed the Commonwealth forum yesterday and when I did so I said that, across the Commonwealth, discriminatory laws that were often made many years ago do continue to affect the lives of many people.

“They’re failing to protect women and girls and they’re criminalising same-sex relations.

“Many such laws were often put in place by this country and I deeply regret their legacy of discrimination, violence and even death that persists today.

“I think, as a family of Commonwealth nations, we must respect one another’s customs and traditions, but do so in a manner which is consistent with our common value of equality.”

Mr Evans aid the Commonwealth was a wonderful organisation “but too many Commonwealth countries have anti-gay legislation on their statute books”.

He added: “Of course, a lot of them are a legacy to colonial days, when Britain was a very different country.

“What message does she have to Commonwealth leaders this week about gay rights, but more importantly, that message going to gay people in those countries who are suffering because of that legislation?”

Nigel Evans.