Tim Farron again dodges questions on homosexuality, but says he became a Liberal to support LGBT rights

Tim Farron, the evangelical Christian leader of the Liberal Democrats, has again avoided answering whether he believes homosexuality is a sin.

Tim Farron became Lib Dem leader after a disastrous election campaign which left the Lib Dems which only 8 MPs Reuters

In a wide-ranging interview with GQ magazine, where Farron admitted he would not be remembered, he dodged questions on homosexuality. However he insisted one of the reasons he became a Liberal MP was to support LGBT rights.

"I'm not a religious leader; I'm a political leader," he said.

"I think that everybody is utterly equal. People should be free to love who they want and marry who they want. But I don't go making theological pronouncements.

"One of the reasons I joined the Liberals was because of lesbian and gay rights. Friends of mine were gay and I saw how they were treated and bullied. I want a society where people are valued for who they are."

The 45-year-old was previously asked three times whether he thought gay sex was sinful by Channel 4 News' Cathy Newman, shortly after he became leader following the Lib Dem's disastrous election result.

article,article,article,article,article Related

The full interview in GQ's March edition, which is available from February 4, covered his legacy as leader and his opinions on Boris Johnson, whom he labelled "the Donald Trump of the United Kingdom".

Farron, who is MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, also admitted he would not be remembered in the future.

"There's no point in worrying about how you'd like to be remembered at all," he said.

"I would like to have made sure I did things that made a difference to people's lives. The whole point of winning elections is to make a difference. I see a whole bunch of people in this place who, whether they say it or not, are trying to leave a legacy – they like the idea of holding office, not making a difference."

related articles
Could Tim Farron finally quash the myth that Christianity and Liberalism don\'t mix?
Could Tim Farron finally quash the myth that Christianity and Liberalism don't mix?

Could Tim Farron finally quash the myth that Christianity and Liberalism don't mix?

Six ways to respond to the scrutiny of Tim Farron\'s faith
Six ways to respond to the scrutiny of Tim Farron's faith

Six ways to respond to the scrutiny of Tim Farron's faith

Tim Farron reverses position, will support Syria air strikes

Tim Farron reverses position, will support Syria air strikes

Syria vote: The shocks and surprises of how Christian MPs voted on air strikes

Syria vote: The shocks and surprises of how Christian MPs voted on air strikes

Tim Farron attacks Tory record on LGBT rights

Tim Farron attacks Tory record on LGBT rights

Whether the UK should take 3,000 child refugees is a question of morality, not politics

Whether the UK should take 3,000 child refugees is a question of morality, not politics

Government offer to child refugees is 'absolute minimum', say campaigners

Government offer to child refugees is 'absolute minimum', say campaigners

News
Army Cadet chaplain role recognised with promotion
Army Cadet chaplain role recognised with promotion

Alan Jeans first volunteered as a chaplain in 2002.

Valuable treasure in our heritage': First-ever Welsh Bible visits Wales for the first time
Valuable treasure in our heritage': First-ever Welsh Bible visits Wales for the first time

Bishop William Morgan translated the book in 1588 to help people read and understand Scripture in their own language.

‘God is sufficient’: Alistair Begg bids farewell to Parkside Church with message of faith
‘God is sufficient’: Alistair Begg bids farewell to Parkside Church with message of faith

Pastor Alistair Begg delivered his final sermon as senior pastor of Parkside Church earlier this month, ending more than four decades of ministry with a message of faith in the sufficiency of God "through all seasons of life."

Fulani militants conduct worst massacre to date, with over 100 dead
Fulani militants conduct worst massacre to date, with over 100 dead

The police were not sufficiently equipped to prevent the massacre.