Lord Ken Maginnis quits Ulster Unionist Party

Rodney Edwards • Published 28 Aug 2012 17:18 Comments 1 Comment

Share this

Lord Maginnis in discussion with UUP party colleagues Tom Elliott and Mike Nesbitt in 2010.

FORMER Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Ken Maginnis has quit the Ulster Unionist Party after 50 years.

He claims there is no room for independent or logical thinking within the party.

Lord Maginnis decided to resign after senior party members, including leader Mike Nesbitt, distanced themselves from him after he described gay marriage as "unnatural and deviant behaviour" in a radio interview.

Afterwards, Lord Maginnis stood by his comments in a follow-up interview with a Belfast newspaper which resulted in party leader Mike Nesbitt removing the party whip from him.

Responding to today's announcement, Mr. Nesbitt said Lord Maginnis was the sort of progressive Unionist he admired.

"I hope we can now focus on a legacy of service over a number of decades rather than concentrate on more recent matters, which I believe could have been resolved at any time," he added.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 28 Aug 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

SeamusandPatsy
21 posts
Aug 29, 02:07
Report comment

Ken Maginnis has quit the Ulster Unionist Party after 50 years.

I believe the above statement says it all, he's an antiquated dinosaur with a twisted bigoted view that thinks the world should turn the direction that he pushes it. For this country to move on all the antique politicians and their outdated ideals need to be pushed towards the door so we can live in peace as life is short and we are here for a good time not a long time.

Recommend? Yes 11 No 2

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.