The Archbishop of York has hit out at journalists for persistently questioning Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron on whether gay sex is a sin.

John Sentamu said we can't have 'a window into people's souls' as he urged people to reject 'apathy and cynicism' and turn out to vote.

'If he has expressed a view on homosexual people of course he should be asked,' Sentamu told the BBC's Andrew Marr on Farron's grilling.

'If he suggested homosexual people should be criminalise...I would be against him,' he added.

'But he hadn't expressed a view. Some people are trying to fish.

'They are taking him into a realm of theology. Is he qualified to comment on? I am not so sure.'

The number two in the Anglican church also suggested that general election could be different from Theresa May's expected whitewash if everyone turned out on June 8.

'In this country if everybody eligible to vote actually voted the result would be an interesting result,' he said.

He was speaking after both Archbishops penned an open letter on the general election, outlining concerns on immigration, housing, education and the economy.

Defending the intervention he said he insisted the Church had a duty to comment on political matters.

'Because the whole of the world belongs to God. I strongly believe every human being should flourish.

'If there are things that preventing people from flourishing – things like the environment, things like wages, things like housing, things like education... If I simply sat on the sidelines and did not get involved – what kind of bible are people reading?'