Ann Widdecombe slams Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for supporting LGBTQ rights
Former British Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe has called out Prince Harry and his soon-to-be-bride Meghan Markle for their decision to prioritize LGBT+ rights. The royal couple, who are tying the knot on May 19, has said that they will put the issue of LGBT+ rights on the forefront of their royal duties.
The couple recently addressed the young LGBT+ people at the Commonwealth Youth Forum in London earlier this month, where Markle admitted that these issues are about “basic human rights”. She further added that it is crucial to challenge equality that is founded on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
For all those who do not know this, same-sex activities are criminalized in 36 of the 53 Commonwealth member states.
Widdecombe, who is widely known for her conservative stance on the issue of LGBT+ people and their rights, has suggested that Prince Harry and his future wife should not use their influence and platform to carry forward the rights of the LGBT+ community.
“I may have my doubts about Meghan Markle but on Saturday she cheered me up so much that I actually clapped,” the 70-year-old wrote for the Daily Express. “Earlier that week my doubts had grown when reports appeared in the press about how she and Harry were going to champion the rights of the LGBT community."
“First, royals don’t champion ‘rights’: they champion plights. That is what Diana did with victims of Aids and landmines and very effective she was too,” the former politician continued. “Rights are the business of politicians and pressure groups and never more so than when they are controversial.”
“Second, what a week for any royal to join in the argument when the Commonwealth conference was in full swing, the position of Prince Charles as its future head was in delicate negotiation and some of its bishops were voicing concern about their countries being pressurized by Theresa May on the issue of LGBT rights. So nought out of 10 for both phraseology and timing.”
Widdecombe is not particularly a fan of Markle, and has previously called the actress 'trouble', implying that her acting background coupled with her attitude has made her “uneasy”.
“I think she’s trouble. Background, attitude ... I worry. I add it all up and I’m uneasy but there we go,” said Widdecombe, while she was still in the Celebrity Big Brother house.
