A since-deleted Twitter post led to his suspension.
QUICK FACTS:
- Northamptonshire Councillor King Lawal has been suspended from his role over a since-deleted Twitter post denouncing “Pride” as sin.
- He says the Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) is behind his suspension.
- The post read, “When did Pride become a thing to celebrate. Because of Pride Satan fell as an arch Angel. Pride is not a virtue but a Sin. Those who have Pride should Repent of their sins and return to Jesus Christ. He can save you. #PrideMonth #Pride23 #PrideParade.”
- “Whatever God calls ‘Sin’ is nothing to be Proud of,” an image on the tweet read.
- Because of the post, Lawal has been suspended for 21 days.
- Lawal was also forced to resign from his job in nursing and was removed as a trustee from an organization helping children get access to nature.
- The BBC reported that Lawal took to Twitter to react to explicit images he believed were from a Pride event.
- “I was appalled by some of the illegal activity I saw online at these events,” Lawal said. “I had real concern for the children witnessing it who will grow up believing this is OK.”
- Lawal said to The Telegraph, “It is now almost impossible to say something biblically truthful on sexual ethics in UK society without being cancelled and having your life ruined.”
- He added that “As the only black councillor in the whole of Northamptonshire, I know what it is like to be in the minority, and I would never discriminate against anyone. I have diligently represented all my constituents; however, I must also be free to express my beliefs without fear.
- Leader of North Northamptonshire Council Tory Cllr Jason Smithers said in a statement, “North Northamptonshire Conservative Group are an inclusive group. We continue to be committed to reducing inequality within our communities and creating a fair and inclusive environment for everyone. We fully support our LGBTQ+ community, as we support all communities.”
LAWAL DEFENDS HIMSELF:
- Lawal issued a follow-up tweet to explain his stance on the matter, holding to his values.
- “When I referred to pride as sin on my previous post, it may have been misinterpreted as hateful,” the statement on Twitter read. “Let me explain.”
- “When Christians refer to ‘sin’ or ‘sinners’ we are speaking of ourselves. We are not singling out specific people or groups of people as sinners,” the statement read, as Lawal went on to describe how the Bible defines sin, including specific verses as support.
- “I therefore do not come against those celebrating pride to attack who they are, my intention was to say that I would not celebrate this any more than I would celebrate a month of gossip or anything else the bible calls sin,” the statement concluded.
BACKGROUND:
- According to Donald Trump, Britain’s Conservative Party is increasingly going “far left.”
- In an interview with former Brexit leader Nigel Farage, Trump said, “[T]hey really weren’t staying conservative… they were literally going far left. It never made sense.”
- “I’m saying this as an outsider, but an outsider looking in: they were going far left… I can tell you, they were not conservative policies toward the end,” Trump added.
- Trump explained that he saw a noticeable change in former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, when “all of a sudden” Johnson became involved with the green agenda.
