Tim Farron Says He Doesn't Think Homosexuality Is A 'Sin'

Tim Farron has said he does not think homosexuality as a “sin”, having earlier caused an uproar when he failed to clarify his views.

The Lib Dem leader, who is a Christian, would not give Channel 4 News a clear answer on the issue on Tuesday evening, triggering a wave of anger from progressives - the people Farron is trying to convince to vote for his party in June’s snap election.

Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Farron was bombarded with heckles by other MPs as he tried to make the case for voting for the Lib Dems.

Former deputy speaker Nigel Evans, who is gay, rose and asked: “Does the Honourable Gentleman think being gay is a sin?”

“So, I do not. So, I do not,” Farron said. “I am very proud to have gone through the lobby behind the Honourable Gentleman under the Coalition Government where the Liberal Democrats introduced gay marriage, equal marriage and, indeed, did not go as far as it should in terms of recognising transgender rights.”

Farron continued: “There’s much more to be done. If we campaign in this election for an open, united and tolerant society, then we need to make sure we are not complacent in any way about LGBT rights.”

His answer in parliament contrasted with his Channel 4 News interview where he repeatedly dodged the question by presenter Cathy Newman.

She reminded him he had also failed to give her a clear answer in 2015 when he was first elected leader.

Then, she asked whether he thought gay sex was a sin and he said: “To “understand Christianity is to understand that we are all sinners.”