MP Shaun Woodward has been dramatically sacked from the Tory front bench in a row over gay rights.

The Witney MP refused to accept the party line over a ban on councils promoting homosexuality. He said the law - introduced under Margaret Thatcher - was "discriminatory" and "simply causes harm and does not protect our children".

As a result, he was sacked last night from his job as the party's spokesman on transport and London. Tory leader William Hague told his MPs last week they must vote against Labour's plans to repeal the controversial Section 28 of the 1989 Local Government Act, which imposes the ban.

But Mr Woodward, who has long been concerned about the problems facing gay teenagers, believes the current law makes it difficult for schools to deal with bullying without being accused of "promoting" homosexuality.

He asked his leadership to be allowed to vote with Labour as a "matter of conscience".

However, despite suggestions of a compromise yesterday afternoon, Mr Hague sacked the married father-of-four at 6.30pm. Mr Woodward told the Oxford Mail he was not promoting homosexuality, but trying to protect vulnerable young people from bullying, and teachers from the fear of prosecution.

In a letter to Tory Chief Whip James Arbuthnot, Mr Woodward claims he has the full support of every teacher in his constituency as well as his constituency party chairman, Barry Tanswell.

He adds: "As a matter of conscience, I believe the current legislation to be discriminatory.

"It is a matter of public record that I find any kind of discrimination abhorrent. In addition, as a director of ChildLine, I know that bullying is a very serious problem in schools, particularly when it is directed at young people who may be unsure of their sexuality or simply on the end of ghastly taunts. The letter continues: "I do not wish to "promote" homosexuality. I simply want a decent environment for young people to grow up in and not be bullied because of their private sexual orientation.

"I have enormous regret that you have chosen to precipitate this course of events."

He also said the law could make it difficult for teachers and social workers to help teenagers coming to grips with homosexuality.

Mr Woodward recently made a powerful speech in a Commons debate on lowering the age of consent of homosexual sex from 18 to 16. Supporting the lower figure, he likened the issue to the abolition of slavery or votes for women. That issue was the subject of a free vote in the House of Commons.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Evan Harris praised Mr Woodward for his "courageous" action but said it was sad that the Conservative Party was now so extreme and intolerant that it could not accept such a divergence of views.

The Liberal Democrat said every reputable organisation shared Mr Woodward's position on the legislation.

Brian Hodgson, Labour leader on Oxfordshire County Council, said: "The Labour Party in Witney frequently disagrees strongly with some of the views of Shaun Woodward. "However, he has shown great courage in standing up to the intolerance of the Tory party and it is a shame that someone who was just beginning their career and had just been promoted has been treated in this way for supporting Labour plans."

Story date: Friday 03 December

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