15:46

The former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has said he will withdraw from a Christian conference where organisers said churches were “wavering under the onslaught of the gay lobby” and claimed Muslim immigration was causing problems for Christians.

Farron, who came under fire for his beliefs about gay sex during the election campaign, said he had not seen the promotional material when he agreed to speak at the Northern Mens’ Convention, run by Christian Conventions.

A pamphlet advertising the conference, which is billed as “hold the word of God in the worst of times” has been circulated on Twitter. “Even in biblical teaching churches, many appear to be wavering under the onslaught of the gay lobby, Add to this the scenario the increasing problems associated with immigration and Islam in particular and indeed many other things which push Christians further and further to the margins.”

Farron is billed in the same pamphlet as one of the speakers.

MarkH (@markrhewerdine) But wait. There's more. For those playing Bigotry Bingo at home, we've got some Islamophobia thrown in too! pic.twitter.com/3emNBwxUBi

The MP said he would no longer attend.

“I agreed many months ago to attend a church-organised event but just today I’ve seen promotional material for it which contains things I’m deeply concerned and saddened by,” he tweeted. “As a result, I have withdrawn from the event.”



Tim Farron (@timfarron) I agreed many months ago to attend a church-organised event but just today I’ve seen promotional material for it which contains things I’m deeply concerned and saddened by. As a result, I have withdrawn from the event.

Party activists expressed outrage at the billing. Jennie Rigg, the chair of LGBT Lib Dems, tweeted it was a “sexist, racist and homophobic” event. She said she had lost faith in Farron. “I’m sorry I ever defended him and I’m sorry to those of you I defended him to. I got it wrong. I apologise.”

Jennie Rigg (@miss_s_b) Tim Farron is the star speaker at this sexist, racist AND homophobic event (many more details in the thread).

I'm sorry I ever defended him, and I'm sorry to those of you I defended him to. I got it wrong. I apologise. https://t.co/jk8DcCtLec

The party said it would not be taking any further action now Farron had pulled out.