SNP chief Angus Robertson ‘proud’ his party is the ‘gayest’ in Westminster as it has most gay and lesbian MPs
The SNP returned seven gay and lesbian MPs - making up 13 per cent of their party
THE boss of the SNP in Westminster has boasted he leads the “gayest parliamentary party.”
Angus Robertson said he was proud to be leader of the Commons grouping with the most gay people in it.
All the party chiefs were grilled by the Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee on Wednesday.
The Commons committee are probing how more women and minorities can be encouraged to run for Parliament.
Standing in for Theresa May, Tory party Chairman Sir Patrick McLouglin joked: “If we’re awarding points for women in the party I hope we get a bonus for the PM”.
There are currently 35 openly gay, lesbian and bisexual MPs – around 5 per cent of the total number in the Commons.
The SNP returned seven gay and lesbian MPs, including 20-year-old Mhairi Black – making up around 13 per cent of their MPs.
The brag from their leader came as a Tory MP accused Lib Dem boss Tim Farron of telling gay MPs that he would “pray for them” if they voted for same-sex marriage.
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A furious Mr Farron hit back claiming that was “a damn lie” and demanded the “untruth” be withdrawn by gay Bath MP Ben Howlett.
Labour boss Jeremy Corbyn used the session to claim he is tackling bullying and intimidation within his party.
The Labour leader acknowledged that “some intimidation” happened within the party’s ranks but he was “stamping it out”.
Mr Corbyn told the committee: “I hope you are also going to be taking evidence from women representing all of the political parties.
“It seems slightly odd to have four white men sitting in front of you giving evidence about women’s representation.”
But the committee’s chairman Tory Maria Miller hit back: “With respect, that’s your fault, not ours.”