Paisley’s son blasts call for gay criminalisation after Magherafelt DUP councillor’s comments

The late Rev Ian Paisley with his son Kyle who has slammed Paul McLean's comments

In a letter to the News Letter, Kyle Paisley warned the Biblical concept of mercy was being put to one side.

He was writing after DUP councillor Paul McLean was quoted as saying that he believed homosexuality should be against the law.

Homosexuality should not be legal says Magherafelt councillor

“In this controversy, Gospel mercy has been completely forgotten. Christ came to save sinners, not destroy them!

“And it is noteworthy that He reserved His strongest criticisms, not for immoral men, but proud religious legalists who acted as though had no need of salvation. He said - ‘Publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you’.”

Rev Paisley’s own father had himself backed the campaign to criminalise gay sex via his ‘Save Ulster from Sodomy’ campaign.

Mr Robinson said that this was not party policy, but told the BBC that if it were, “I would hope if it was illegal people would obey the law”.

The Alliance Party said yesterday that the remarks “the latest in a long line of disgraceful and appalling comments” from the party about homosexuals.