Labour have refused to bow to calls to suspend an MP who told campaigners protesting against LGBT teaching at a primary school: "You're right".

Roger Godsiff, MP for Birmingham's Hall Green constituency, also told protesters outside Anderton Park Primary School they had a "just cause" as he criticised the headteacher in a video that has circulated online.

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said she has reported the "discriminatory and irresponsible" comments to chief whip Nick Brown, while the Labour LGBT group called for Mr Godsiff to have the party's whip removed.

Mr Godsiff will be "reminded of his responsibilities as an MP" by Mr Brown, a Labour spokesperson said.

They added: "The Labour Party has long supported and campaigned for LGBT inclusive education in schools.


"There is not only a moral imperative, there is also a legal requirement and schools must comply with the Equalities Act.

"There is no justifiable reason to stop the teaching of these issues."

But Labour did not reply when asked whether Mr Godsiff would face any further action.

Image: Roger Godsiff is MP for Birmingham Hall Green

Protesters say the lessons at the Muslim-majority Sparkhill school are intolerant of Islamic beliefs and are "indoctrinating" children by teaching them about same-sex relationships and gender identity.

Weeks of protests outside the school resulted in the council successfully applying for a High Court interim injunction, which banned demos outside the gates for the first time on Friday.

The school's headteacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson has called the demonstrations "toxic and nasty", and said she has received threats since they began.

Police were called in three weeks ago after counter-demonstrators were egged.



Veteran MP Mr Godsiff first waded into the row last month, saying he understood some parents' concerns about how "age appropriate" elements of LGBT teaching had been for children aged four and five.

In an interview with Birmingham Mail, he said: "As a parent wrote, some are just out of nappies. I think it is more appropriate at age seven, or six.

"Of course if a child asks the teacher questions about someone with two mummies it's right for the teacher to respond, I would not want them to lie."

In response, Ms Hewitt-Clarkson said the Equality Act was a "mark in the sand" and all public servants including Mr Godsiff have a responsibility to "promote, understand and aspire" to it.

In his latest comments, which appear in a video widely circulated on social media, Mr Godsiff said: "I believe in telling it as I see it."

Image: Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson said the damage done to Anderton Park Primary School has been 'almost immeasurable'

Seen with Shakeel Afsar, the lead organiser of the protests, Mr Godsiff continued: "If I had the opportunity of rolling the clock back I would do exactly the same thing again.

"Because I think you have a just cause and I regret the fact that it hasn't been reciprocated by the headteacher."

He then asked demonstrators to "consider calling the protest off" because they had made their point, but added it would be their choice whether to do so.

He added: "I will continue to try and fight your corner because you're right.

"Nothing more, nothing less. You're right.

"I will continue to try and work to bring a resolution to this dispute but also to ensure that the school teaches the Equality Act in the same way it is being taught at all the other primary schools - where there isn't a row."

Protesters gather outside Anderton Park to protest against relationship lessons in schools

Ms Rayner, who was in Birmingham on Saturday with party leader Jeremy Corbyn, said: "I've reported this to our chief whip.

"This might be the personal views of Mr Roger Godsiff but they do not represent the Labour Party and are discriminatory and irresponsible."

The LGBT Labour group also condemned Mr Godsiff's remarks, tweeting: "No Labour MP should be pandering to the bigotry we have seen outside the school gates in Birmingham."

They also revealed their members on Saturday "voted unanimously to condemn, unreservedly and unequivocally, Roger Godsiff MP actions and calls for the Labour whip to be removed".

In response to the group's tweet, Labour's shadow women and equalities secretary Dawn Butlker said: "100% agree. Totally unacceptable."

Labour MP Wes Streeting said he would be making a formal complaint to the party.

He wrote in a series of messages on Twitter: "This made me feel sick to my stomach.

"One of my own Labour colleagues stood with people who have peddled hatred and bigotry on school gates, intimidating pupils, teachers and parents.

"If he was a Tory MP, we'd be all over it.

"There must be no place for hatred and apologists for hatred in the Labour Party."