Video: PM snubs prayer but backs new gay rights charity

Prime Minister David Cameron has been criticised for being too “embarrassed” to support a Global Day of Prayer, while saying Britain should be a “global beacon for reform” on LGBT issues.

Please accept preferences cookies to view this content.

Mr Cameron was asked during Prime Minister’s Questions to support a Global Day of Prayer taking place at Wembley Stadium in wake of the riots, but he ignored it and talked about clean-up cash instead.

Meanwhile Mr Cameron has thrown his full support behind new UK-based LGBT charity, The Kaleidoscope Diversity Trust, which aims to influence ‘homosexual rights’ around the world.

Beacon

The Prime Minister said: “Our country has made real progress on LGB and T equality and, without forgetting how far we’ve still got to go domestically, it is right that we should now increasingly turn our attention towards bringing about change abroad”.

He added: “I want Britain to be a global beacon for reform. That’s why I am delighted to send my best wishes to Kaleidoscope, and wish them well in their work”.

The charity will launch tomorrow at a reception held by its honorary president, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow. The Director of Kaleidoscope, Lance Price, was formerly a special adviser to Tony Blair.

Ironic

Political blogger Cranmer received a White House Press Release calling for National Days of Prayer, and pointed out that it was ironic that the President of the USA, “with its strict separation of church and state, can issue a decree for entire days dedicated to the pursuit”.

But “a country with a professing Anglican Prime Minister and an Established Church is manifestly embarrassed by the prospect of prayer”.