T
he chief of the Labour Party has apologised for the “harm” brought on by his visit to a church which has been broadly criticised for its attitudes in the direction of homosexuality.
Sir Keir Starmer got here in for criticism from inside his personal social gathering after he posted a video on-line highlighting his visit on Friday to Jesus House for All The Nations church in Brent, north London
He tweeted on Monday that he accepted it was a “mistake” to visit the church, which has opened its premises up as a vaccination centre, however harassed he was “not conscious” of the institution’s views on homosexual rights.
“I utterly disagree with Jesus House’s beliefs on LGBT+ rights, which I used to be not conscious of earlier than my visit,” the chief of the Opposition tweeted.
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“I apologise for the harm my visit triggered and have taken down the video. It was a mistake and I settle for that.”
The church’s senior pastor, Agu Irukwu, has beforehand attracted controversy for his feedback on LGBT+ rights – having spoken out towards similar intercourse marriage and equality laws.
The Labour Campaign for LGBT+ Rights had branded Sir Keir’s visit and subsequent social media endorsement of the church’s work as “unacceptable”.
Following the social gathering chief’s apology, the group tweeted: “Thank you Keir Starmer.
“We are happy that you’ve recognised and apologised for this error.
“We look ahead to working with you to finish conversion remedy and obtain equality for LGBT+ folks.”
After elevating the matter with the chief’s workplace, the group mentioned final week that it had acquired an “unreserved apology” and could be holding an additional assembly to guarantee it didn’t occur once more.
In the now-deleted video, Sir Keir praised Jesus House as a “great instance” of a church serving its group throughout the coronavirus pandemic – together with performing as a vaccination centre.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the vaccination centre at Jesus House for All The Nations church in Brent, North London / PA Wire
“From rolling out the vaccine to operating the native meals financial institution, Jesus House, like many different church buildings throughout the UK, has performed a vital position in assembly the wants of the group,” he mentioned.
In 2017, Theresa May was criticised when she visited the church, though Boris Johnson and the Prince of Wales have each been to the pop-up vaccination centre there in latest weeks with out attracting widespread remark.
Labour sources mentioned Sir Keir’s visit was additionally centered on the vaccination centre – though the video did present him apparently praying with the pastor.
