Andrew Dismore

The Member of Parliament for Hendon, Matthew Offord, has been condemned for comparing same-sex marriage to incest. Mr Offord made the comments to the Barnet Press earlier today. London Assembly Member Tom Copley has labelled the comments “utterly disgusting and worthy of a playground bully”.

Barnet Press has quoted Matthew Offord MP about his views on the Government’s plans to legislate for same-sex marriage. His comments come a day after he compared gay marriage to polygamy during a debate in Parliament. Speaking to the Barnet Press Mr Offord said: “Why is the government saying there should be same sex marriages? Why should it not also be blood relatives? Why should it not also be polygamists? It seems they are rushing this forward and they have not thought out what the consequences are going to be.”

In response to these comments, Labour London-wide Assembly Member Tom Copley said:
“Matthew Offord’s comments comparing same-sex marriage to polygamy and incest are utterly disgusting and worthy of a playground bully, not a Member of Parliament. Mr Offord should reflect on the views of his constituents, including those in same-sex relationships. Comparing a loving union between people of the same sex to incest is completely contemptible and only serves to demonstrate how out of touch Mr Offord is.

“I’m delighted that the government are legislating for same-sex marriage and that there is cross-party support for this issue. Opinion polls consistently show a majority of people across the country support this move.  The siren voices of opposition in Parliament may be loud but they are few in number and increasingly talking only to themselves.

“London is a diverse and welcoming city. The introduction of equal marriage will send a strong signal that both heterosexual and same-sex relationships are equally valid and to be equally celebrated. It is thoroughly disappointing that Mr Offord has dragged this debate back 50 years.