UKIP
has not lent support whatsoever to single sex marriages contrary to
whatever might have been published in the media. Please ensure that the truth is
spread to all people you know.
I
know from the highest reaches of the party that the claim below is neither a cover-up nor a
retraction. I must assume all this to have been an act of either consummate
stupidity or extreme malice from a mere underling.
In
addition to what Mr Farage has written below I might add that it is my
understanding of UKIP policy that contentious moral issues should be settled
only by the electorate and not by self-serving
politicians.
Nigel Farage said: “UKIP’s objection to same sex marriage was
two-fold. First, we did not think it should have been made a political priority
at a time of many other pressing issues and pointed out that the measure had no
mandate from the electorate.
“Secondly we were concerned that because of the role of the
European Court of Human Rights in British law that faith communities which had
strong objections were at risk of being forced to conduct gay
marriages.
“The statement attributed to me yesterday was not made by me and
not approved by me. It was a draft by a staff member that should never have been
sent out.
“There is an ongoing debate within UKIP about how we can protect
faith communities from ultimately being compelled to conduct same sex marriages
against their beliefs and their will. We note that some gay rights activists are
already talking about taking legal action in Strasbourg to force this
issue.”
