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 Brian Souter, Keep the Clause"We are posing important questions"  real 28k |
Minister's swipe at Souter
Keep the Clause advertising was condemned by Tony Blair
Scottish Communities Minister Wendy Alexander has criticised Brian Souter's "celebrity" campaign against the reform of Section 28.
She said ending discrimination and child poverty were much more important than the transport millionaire's "misguided" campaign against the repeal of the law which forbids local authorities from promoting homosexuality.
Ms Alexander earlier told delegates at the Scottish Labour Party Conference in Edinburgh that a �10m fund for community social inclusion projects is to be established.
Her attack on Mr Souter followed comments made by the Stagecoach chief executive that he did not need a lecture in morality from Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Mr Blair had earlier condemned a poster campaign by the Keep the Clause group as "utter nonsense" which had "no place in a proper political debate".
Mr Souter told BBC Scotland's Reporting Scotland programme on Friday: "I don't think we need a lecture in new Labour morality from Mr Blair. Scottish parents are featured in these adverts and they are expressing concerns of Scottish parents."
She said ending discrimination and child poverty were much more important than the transport millionaire's "misguided" campaign against the repeal of the law which forbids local authorities from promoting homosexuality.
 Wendy Alexander: "Poverty priority" |
Her attack on Mr Souter followed comments made by the Stagecoach chief executive that he did not need a lecture in morality from Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Mr Blair had earlier condemned a poster campaign by the Keep the Clause group as "utter nonsense" which had "no place in a proper political debate".
Mr Souter told BBC Scotland's Reporting Scotland programme on Friday: "I don't think we need a lecture in new Labour morality from Mr Blair. Scottish parents are featured in these adverts and they are expressing concerns of Scottish parents."
 Perhaps if we knew what the Scottish Executive means by protecting against inappropriate material then it would be helpful  |
Brian Souter |
The campaign to stop the repeal of the law was launched in the middle of January and was backed financially by Mr Souter.
The cash, rumoured to be as much as �1m, went to pay for a high-profile poster campaign designed to counter the government's plans.
The businessman defended the group's aim and said: "We are posing a question about whether homosexual relationships have the same moral values as marriage.
"Political correctness"
"I consider that a very important issue and I would like to hear what the prime minister's view on it is rather than saying simply that we should trust Labour.
The Scottish Executive plans to put in place of the existing law a set of guidelines which promises to protect children from "inappropriate material".
But Mr Souter said: "Perhaps if we knew what the Scottish Executive means by protecting against inappropriate material then it would be helpful.
"But the problem with this is it is local authorities who are left to decide that definition so while we trust our teachers implicitly we have politicians from local authorities which are often driven by political correctness enforcing on us these rules."
He claims some schools have already been given gay role-playing packs ready to be used when the law is abolished.
Mr Souter, a devoted Christian, got involved with Keep the Clause campaign after he was approached by some church groups who are opposed to the abolition.
Up until now Mr Souter has refused to be questioned publicly about his support for keeping the law.
The cash, rumoured to be as much as �1m, went to pay for a high-profile poster campaign designed to counter the government's plans.
The businessman defended the group's aim and said: "We are posing a question about whether homosexual relationships have the same moral values as marriage.
"Political correctness"
"I consider that a very important issue and I would like to hear what the prime minister's view on it is rather than saying simply that we should trust Labour.
The Scottish Executive plans to put in place of the existing law a set of guidelines which promises to protect children from "inappropriate material".
 Brian Souter: Defended his position |
"But the problem with this is it is local authorities who are left to decide that definition so while we trust our teachers implicitly we have politicians from local authorities which are often driven by political correctness enforcing on us these rules."
He claims some schools have already been given gay role-playing packs ready to be used when the law is abolished.
Mr Souter, a devoted Christian, got involved with Keep the Clause campaign after he was approached by some church groups who are opposed to the abolition.
Up until now Mr Souter has refused to be questioned publicly about his support for keeping the law.
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