Menu
26/01/2006
Hughes admits to gay relationships
Liberal Democrat leadership candidate Simon Hughes has admitted to having homosexual relationships.
The Lib Dems party president made the revelation in an interview with 'The Sun' newspaper.
The 54-year-old, who is unmarried, had previously denied that he was gay. In the interview, he admitted that he had been "overly defensive" when questioned about his sexuality.
However, Mr Hughes said that the revelations would not affect his bid for the party leadership. He said: "I have accepted publicly that I have had homosexual relationships in the past as well as heterosexual ones.
"I believe that people have a right to a private life, providing that their private life does not impinge upon their public responsibilities.
"I have always maintained that someone's sexual orientation should not be a barrier to public life in modern Britain.
"I do not believe that anything that I have done has impinged upon my capacity to serve my constituents or fulfil any of the roles that I have sought, undertaken or am seeking for the future."
The announcement followed several interviews in which Mr Hughes denied that he was gay. He had also recently apologised for the bitter by-election battle in Bermondsey in 1983, which saw him defeat Labour candidate, gay rights activist Peter Tatchell. At the time the Liberal Democrats campaign had been condemned as homophobic, with Mr Hughes being described in campaign leaflets as the "straight" candidate..
Mr Hughes' admissions come at the end of a month, which has seen the Lib Dems suffer a series of scandals. Party leader Charles Kennedy resigned at the start of the month after admitting that he had a drink problem, sparking the current leadership contest.
Allegations about the party's home affairs spokesperson Mark Oaten's affair with a male prostitute shortly afterwards resulted in his resignation from the Lib Dem front bench. He had dropped out of the party's leadership contest shortly before the revelations, citing a lack of support among fellow MPs.
The nominations for the party leadership contest have now closed. Three contenders, Mr Hughes, Sir Menzies Campbell, the acting party leader, and the party's economic spokesperson Chris Huhne will fight the contest.
The new leader will be announced on March 2, following a ballot of the party's 73,000-strong membership.
(KMcA/SP)
The Lib Dems party president made the revelation in an interview with 'The Sun' newspaper.
The 54-year-old, who is unmarried, had previously denied that he was gay. In the interview, he admitted that he had been "overly defensive" when questioned about his sexuality.
However, Mr Hughes said that the revelations would not affect his bid for the party leadership. He said: "I have accepted publicly that I have had homosexual relationships in the past as well as heterosexual ones.
"I believe that people have a right to a private life, providing that their private life does not impinge upon their public responsibilities.
"I have always maintained that someone's sexual orientation should not be a barrier to public life in modern Britain.
"I do not believe that anything that I have done has impinged upon my capacity to serve my constituents or fulfil any of the roles that I have sought, undertaken or am seeking for the future."
The announcement followed several interviews in which Mr Hughes denied that he was gay. He had also recently apologised for the bitter by-election battle in Bermondsey in 1983, which saw him defeat Labour candidate, gay rights activist Peter Tatchell. At the time the Liberal Democrats campaign had been condemned as homophobic, with Mr Hughes being described in campaign leaflets as the "straight" candidate..
Mr Hughes' admissions come at the end of a month, which has seen the Lib Dems suffer a series of scandals. Party leader Charles Kennedy resigned at the start of the month after admitting that he had a drink problem, sparking the current leadership contest.
Allegations about the party's home affairs spokesperson Mark Oaten's affair with a male prostitute shortly afterwards resulted in his resignation from the Lib Dem front bench. He had dropped out of the party's leadership contest shortly before the revelations, citing a lack of support among fellow MPs.
The nominations for the party leadership contest have now closed. Three contenders, Mr Hughes, Sir Menzies Campbell, the acting party leader, and the party's economic spokesperson Chris Huhne will fight the contest.
The new leader will be announced on March 2, following a ballot of the party's 73,000-strong membership.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 January 2006
Huhne enters Lib Dem leadership race
Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne has become the fourth candidate to enter the party's leadership contest. The 51-year-old, who became MP for Eastleigh at the last general election, is a former MEP and Guardian journalist.
Huhne enters Lib Dem leadership race
Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne has become the fourth candidate to enter the party's leadership contest. The 51-year-old, who became MP for Eastleigh at the last general election, is a former MEP and Guardian journalist.
23 June 2003
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
16 October 2007
Ming Dynasty Ends For Lib Dems
The Liberal Democrats are set to begin the search for a new leader after Sir Menzies Campbell announced his resignation on Monday evening.
Ming Dynasty Ends For Lib Dems
The Liberal Democrats are set to begin the search for a new leader after Sir Menzies Campbell announced his resignation on Monday evening.
13 January 2011
Irish Premier's 'Position In Peril'
Amidst increasing speculation that the Irish Republic's ruling Fianna Fáil party could be on the brink of a leadership change - as Brian Cowen's position remains perilous - a challenge from either senior Ministers or backbenchers has been mooted.
Irish Premier's 'Position In Peril'
Amidst increasing speculation that the Irish Republic's ruling Fianna Fáil party could be on the brink of a leadership change - as Brian Cowen's position remains perilous - a challenge from either senior Ministers or backbenchers has been mooted.
29 September 2005
NHS plan defeat for Labour party leadership
The Labour Party leadership has suffered an embarrassing defeat over proposals to increase private company involvement in health care. Unison leader David Prentis accused the Labour Party of "government by diktat" and asked if the party's vision was really a health service "driven not by patient need, but by profits and markets.
NHS plan defeat for Labour party leadership
The Labour Party leadership has suffered an embarrassing defeat over proposals to increase private company involvement in health care. Unison leader David Prentis accused the Labour Party of "government by diktat" and asked if the party's vision was really a health service "driven not by patient need, but by profits and markets.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
