Gay rights campaigner boycotts Tory fringe at the last minute

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

Ben Sumerskill, the head of gay rights group Stonewall has pulled out of speaking at the Tories’ first ever Pride event – due to be held on Canal Street tonight – as a result of Michal Kaminsky’s appearance at Conservative conference.

Summerskill told Channel 4 News:

“There is no doubt the progress that has been made in the last couple of years has genuinely been historic. It would churlish of anyone not to welcome the apology a couple of months ago over Section 28. But the event tonight has been overshadowed by the presence, not just at conference but on the same platform as some senior members of the party, of people of such extreme and offensive views. And certainly there are people I’ve spoken to at the conference today, not just gay people but Jewish delegates as well, who share that viewpoint.”