A preacher with a record of homophobic and anti-Muslim remarks heckled Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn when he visited Glasgow today.
Reverend Richard Cameron, a Church of Scotland minister, vented against Mr Corbyn, implying he was a terrorist sympathiser.
It later emerged that Rev Cameron had posted a number of homophobic and anti-Muslim remarks on social media.
These included claims homosexual people were “celebrating perversion”, and asking the Archbishop of Canterbury: “Any chance you might ban gay priests?”
He also branded the niqaad, worn by some Muslim women, as “oppressive and un-British”.
Today’s outburst happened during the Labour leader’s 48-hour tour of Scotland.
(Image: BBC)
Rev Cameron is seen telling Mr Corbyn: “I thought you’d be wearing your Islamic Jihad scarf, Mr Corbyn.”
The comment was made as Corbyn entered the Heart of Scotstoun community centre in Glasgow, the Daily Record reports.
Before the heckler interrupted, Corbyn had stopped to tell broadcasters about a scarf he was wearing, which had been given to him by representatives of the Who Cares Scotland charity.
After his scarf comments, Rev Cameron, from Scotstoun Parish Church, could be heard saying: “Do you think the man that is going to be Prime Minister of this country should be a terrorist sympathiser?”
After stopping and staring at the heckler, Corbyn was then moved inside the Glasgow community centre.
Furious Rev Cameron then shouted: “Who’s going to be the first terrorist invited to the House of Commons when you’re prime minister?
“Aye, he’s running away.”
(Image: BBC)
The Church of Scotland has said it is investigating.
A spokeswoman said: “There has been significant concern raised today about the comments made by Rev Richard Cameron and his social media use.
“At this stage all we can say is that there is a formal complaints process and that any complaints we receive in relation to this matter will be taken seriously and addressed.
“We do deplore any comments which are Islamophobic or homophobic.
“The Church of Scotland works closely with our Islamic neighbours and the General Assembly has taken a strong position and said formally that we decry homophobia in any form.”
Mr Corbyn was in Glasgow on Wednesday campaigning and is due to also visit two Lanarkshire constituencies.
The Church of Scotland has issued a statement on what happened.
A spokesperson said: “The Church of Scotland as an organisation has a long history of engaging with politicians through a number of different channels.
“Whilst we may occasionally robustly challenge policy issues with which we disagree, we always intend to do that in a way that is polite and measured and allows for reasoned debate.”
