Iris Robinson MP will not be prosecuted over homophobic comments

[Ah Well]

I'd imagine Iris and supporters will be rather happy bout this and quite a few folk won't either

Source: MP will not be prosecuted over homophobic comments | BreakingNews.ie

The MP wife of the North’s First Minister will not be prosecuted for calling homosexuality an abomination and saying gays should seek psychiatric help, police confirmed today.

Iris Robinson caused a storm within the gay community last summer with comments she made on BBC Radio Ulster and subsequently in a newspaper and on the floor of both the House of Commons and Stormont Assembly..

She said homosexuality was an abomination and that gays should seek psychiatric counselling.

The Strangford MP and MLA – chairman of the Stormont Assembly Health Committee - said with help gays could be “turned around” and that she knew of some who had been.

A police investigation was launched following more than 80 complaints accusing Mrs Robinson, wife of First Minister Peter Robinson, of incitement to hatred.

But a PSNI spokeswoman said today: “On receipt of advice from the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and considering all of the matters raised, the Police Service is satisfied that on the occasions considered, Mrs Robinson did not commit an offence.

“As a consequence, no further police action will be taken in relation to these complaints.”

[White Horse]

Thankfully, Northern Ireland is not contolled by a thought Police force and people like Mrs Robinson are still able to express views that run contrary to that of the homosexual lobby.

[jayblue]

look she is entitled to her opinion. freedom of speech etc etc, at times political correctness can go to far

[ArtyQueing]

A proper decision - time the little precious in rainbow or whatever learnt that others are allowed to disagree with them

[cyberianpan]

Well I'm glad that the law there didn't hold up and that she wasn't tried for thought crimes

Though now , after the whole spectre of prosecution having being raised and trashed : I guess Iris Robinson & her supporters will feel this is a victory ... this is something I regret.

cYp

[White Horse]

Though now , after the whole spectre of prosecution having being raised and trashed : I guess Iris Robinson & her supporters will feel this is a victory ... this is something I regret.

cYp

I don't think so.

I doubt Mrs Robinson will choose to speak on this issue again.

[Gruffalo]

While I have no respect for her or what she said, I respect her right to say it. Denying someone the right to make bigoted remarks does not stop them being a bigot.

[Ah Well]

Well ... the PSNI Spokesperson Statement is pretty empathic .... "did not commit an offence"

And I'd assume that even if it had been decided that there was a possible offence that the PPS advice would be, in that event, that on the basis of it requiring to be proof beyond reasonable doubt for conviction, it wouldn't hold up for a successful prosecution so therefore it wouldn't have proceeded on anyway.

Tho they do say "no offence" so the above doesn't come into it obviously.

[Lord Deputy of Listowel]

Frankly her comments were reprehensible; they were tactless and insensitive and portray grass stupidity and ignorance as regard human nature and sexual orientation.
A person’s sexuality is his/hers own private affair and does not belong in the political domain.
How often did a distort parent find their teenage son dangling from the rafters of an outside shed? In fact it happens all the time down here in these remote parts.
Teenagers, often distressed by sexual orientation or other personal matters, may not have recourse to any counseling or an understanding adult, they feel isolated, guilt ridden and ashamed, and see no other way out but the final solution.
Mrs. R. utterances can only add to that sense of isolation, guilt and its dreadful consequences.
A person in her position ought to be a bit more responsible.
Shame on her.

[Gabha Óir]

Frankly her comments were reprehensible; they were tactless and insensitive and portray grass stupidity and ignorance as regard human nature and sexual orientation.
A person’s sexuality is his/hers own private affair and does not belong in the political domain.
How often did a distort parent find their teenage son dangling from the rafters of an outside shed? In fact it happens all the time down here in these remote parts.
Teenagers, often distressed by sexual orientation or other personal matters, may not have recourse to any counseling or an understanding adult, they feel isolated, guilt ridden and ashamed, and see no other way out but the final solution.
Mrs. R. utterances can only add to that sense of isolation, guilt and its dreadful consequences.
A person in her position ought to be a bit more responsible.
Shame on her.

Does that go for Islamic immigrant homosexual distressed teenagers?