The Ulster Unionists have withdrawn the party whip from one of Westminster's veteran politicians, Lord Maginnis, over remarks comparing homosexuality to bestiality. During a discussion on gay marriage on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show, Maginnis said: "This is based on sexual practice. Now, does that mean that every deviant practice has to be accommodated? Will the next thing be that we legislate for some sort of bestiality?"

In a statement, a UUP spokesman said Mike Nesbitt, the party leader, had "informed Maginnis that he was withdrawing the party whip. While this situation pertains, any public comment made by Maginnis, in the media or elsewhere, should not be considered to represent the views of the Ulster Unionist party."

The spokesman added that Nesbitt "remains respectful of Lord Maginnis's enormous contribution to the party, to Northern Ireland, and to the making of peace, and is hopeful a resolution can be found to enable Lord Maginnis to again contribute to the party's development."

Maginnis has been a popular member of the UUP and represented Fermanagh/South Tyrone in the House of Commons for more than a decade.

A former soldier and school teacher, he was also a target of several republican murder plots during the Troubles. He was one of David Trimble's key allies in the then UUP leader's support for the Good Friday agreement in 1998.

However, the UUP has over recent years sought to become more socially inclusive and has within its ranks many gay members.