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A leaflet available at UKIP's conference has compared the "alternative lifestyle" of gay people to that of Hitler and the Yorkshire Ripper.

The leaflet, titled 'Homosexuality - the real alternative', was available on a stand this morning for the Support 4 The Family group at UKIP's annual get-together in Torquay.

The conservative group did not write the leaflet, but does oppose gay marriage and transgender rights, and campaigns against what it calls "homosexual activism and gender bending at school."

Signed by two Belfast clergyman, the leaflet says: "The phrase 'abusers of themselves with mankind' in the Bible... refers to the practice of homosexuality.

"You may call it an 'alternative lifestyle', but this term is meaningless.

"Everyone from Hitler to the Yorkshire Ripper could claim an alternative lifestyle that, to themselves, no doubt seemed quite natural and instinctive.

(Image: Dan Bloom/Daily Mirror)

"The question is whether homosexuality is a legitimate alternative. God says it is not."

Raymond Stewart, who described himself as the Belfast representative for Support 4 The Family, said he brought the leaflets over.

Asked about the comparison he told the Mirror: "I can appreciate why that's been stated because the LGBT have a very aggressive agenda."

He said LGBT rights were being "foisted on our schools", adding: "The problem is Christians in the UK, especially in Northern Ireland, are being marginalised because they dare to believe that marriage is between one man and one woman."

(Image: AFP)

Deborah Pitt, a member of Support 4 The Family's committee, disowned the comparison saying it was not a "useful" way of communicating the group's conservative message.

"That's just put in there to get people's attention," she said. "You don't want to be drawing in these sorts of things which really distract... there's no point being overly dramatic about this."

New UKIP leader Henry Bolton said in a statement: "The pamphlet is neither produced nor endorsed by the party.

"It is wrong, unpleasant and has no place in UKIP or at this conference."