Political Views
Maginnis was perceived to be on the more social liberal wing of the UUP along with Lady Hermon. He is one of only three MPs in the Ulster Unionist Party's history not to have been a member of the Orange Order (the other two being Enoch Powell and Lady Hermon), although he was a member of the Apprentice Boys of Derry.
Ken Maginnis has courted controversy by equating homosexuality with bestiality in an interview on BBC Northern Ireland's Stephen Nolan show in June 2012. Lord Maginnis said he was opposed to gay marriage because it was “unnatural” and he did not believe society should “have imposed on it something that is unnatural”. He enquired: “Does that mean that every deviant practice has to be accommodated? Will the next thing be that we legislate for some sort of bestiality?” The comments prompted Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mike Nesbitt to state that his views were expressed in a personal capacity and did not reflect party policy. Maginnis's remarks were also condemned by Gay Rights groups.
In June 2012, the UUP Whip was withdrawn from Maginnis by party leader Mike Nesbitt over his anti-gay remarks. Maginnis subsequently resigned from the UUP on 28 August 2012.
Read more about this topic: Ken Maginnis
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