- Friday, April 26, 2024
By: Keerthi Mohan
A LABOUR MP will be “reminded of responsibilities” after he told parents protesting against LGBT classes outside a primary school in Birmingham that they were right and they had a “just cause.”
A video circulated on social media shows Roger Godsiff telling parents they had a “just cause” and that he would “continue to fight their corner.”
Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner on Saturday (8) said she has reported Godsiff’s “discriminatory and irresponsible” comments to chief whip Nick Brown.
A Labour spokesperson said Godsiff will be “reminded of his responsibilities as an MP” by Brown.
“The Labour Party has long supported and campaigned for LGBT inclusive education in schools. There is not only a moral imperative, there is also a legal requirement and schools must comply with the Equalities Act. There is no justifiable reason to stop the teaching of these issues.”
In the video, Godsiff is seen telling the protesters that they have a just cause.
“If I had the opportunity of rolling the clock back I would do exactly the same thing again. Because I think you have a just cause and I regret the fact that it hasn’t been reciprocated by the head teacher.”
He asked demonstrators to “consider calling the protest off” as he said they had made their point, but added it would be their choice to do so.
He said: “I will continue to try and fight your corner because you’re right. Nothing more, nothing less. You’re right.”
“I will continue to try and work to bring a resolution to this dispute but also to ensure that the school teaches the Equality Act in the same way it is being taught at all the other primary schools – where there isn’t a row.”
Earlier, Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North, said he would be tabling a formal complaint to the party about Godsiff.
In a series of tweets, he said: “This made me feel sick to my stomach.
“One of my own Labour colleagues stood with people who have peddled hatred and bigotry on school gates, intimidating pupils, teachers and parents.”
