Pete Wishart MP voices concern at Holyrood's 'anti-gay' motion
A Tayside MP attacked several SNP colleagues for supporting what he called an "anti-gay" motion at the Scottish Parliament.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 05.08.11
- Published online : 05.08.11 @ 01.39pm
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart took the unusual step of criticising politicians from his own party as controversy over same-sex marriage raged at Holyrood.
The row was sparked after Glasgow Shettleston MSP John Mason lodged a parliamentary motion pointing out that, "While some in society approve of same-sex sexual relationships, others do not agree with them."
But the most controversial passage of the motion, lodged ahead of a Scottish Government consultation on legalising same-sex marriages, said, "No person or organisation should be forced to be involved in or to approve of same-sex marriages."
His comments were immediately criticised by opposition MSPs, with the motion branded "bizarre" and "spurious."
Mr Wishart last night became the first high-profile Nationalist to openly condemn the motion. Writing on Twitter, he said, "John Mason's nasty little anti-gay marriage motion is just wrong, and really disappointed that other colleagues have signed it."
The motion has already been signed by five other MSPs, including Dunfermline member Bill Walker.
Last night Mr Walker stood by his decision to support the motion.
"I supported this motion because it seemed to make some kind of sense," he told The Courier. "For me the word marriage literally means a relationship entered into between a man and a woman.
Civil partnerships
"There are relationships called civil partnerships that can be between a man and a man or a woman and a woman, but it is my view that a marriage can only be between a man and a woman."
Other MSPs to support the motion were Aberdeenshire West MSP Dennis Robertson, Clydebank's Gil Paterson, Central Scotland MSP Richard Lyle and Highlands and Islands list MSP Mike MacKenzie.
The furore looks set to reignite the debate over same-sex marriage in Scotland.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie yesterday tabled an amendment to the motion saying churches should be allowed to marry gay couples if they wish.
"Mr Mason's motion adds nothing to the debate on extending marriage to same sex couples in Scotland," said the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP.
"All it does is serve to emphasise again the prejudices and intolerance that still exists in Scotland surrounding same-sex marriage," he added.
"His bizarre and unnecessary claim that organisations should not be forced into marrying same-sex couples misses the whole point of the discussion.
"Instead we need to be focusing on how we can ensure that those who wish to celebrate same-sex marriage are free to do so in a fair and progressive Scotland.
"Scottish Liberal Democrats fully support extending legal marriage to gay and lesbian couples. We believe anyone who wishes to get married in Scotland should have that right to do so.
"We will be making strong representations during the Scottish Government's public consultation on the issue."
Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who has also lodged an amendment to the motion, said, "John Mason's attitudes to equal rights seem stuck in the dark ages, and raising a spurious objection about freedom of speech is nothing but a distraction."
Deputy Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said the motion "misunderstands" the issue.
10.33pm - 05.08.2011 Eoin Ryan - Glenrothes, Scotland Report This
Pete is correct, and no for the first time. This is a petty unnecessary motion. William Walker, so recently married to his 'long term partner', should know, from personal experience that it is better not to judge the moral values of others. Let he who is without 'sin', cast the first stone!!
09.35am - 06.08.2011 davedundee - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I'm gay. I'm in a Civil Partnership. I have all the rights of a married couple now and had a wonderful Civil Partnership at a non-religious ceremony. I consider myself 'married' anyway. Why fight over something so trivial - marriage and civil partnerships are equal in the eyes of the law already
12.00am - 07.08.2011 Richard - Dundee, UK Report This
Whatever happened to free speech? Disagree/Speak up and be accused of homophobia. PC nonsense. Where does it end?
09.25pm - 09.08.2011 Get Real - gosport, UK Report This
I agree with John Mason. Pete Wishart and the rest are just jumping on the PC bandwagon. Marriage = man and wife,,, not man and man. Free speech here, and that's how i see it.
03.34pm - 19.08.2011 JE Brown - Dundee, Scotland, UK Report This
Why should anyone be forced to be involved in or approve of any sort of marriage? These guys are guilty of no more than stating the blindingly obvious. If it isn't obvious to our politicians, we have a big problem.
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