A Devon newspaper columnist has claimed that the overturning a “well founded” taboo on homosexuality will cause the collapse of civilisation.

The remarks were made in the South Molton News, by an anonymous columnist, known as ‘Grave Turner’.

In the column, he claimed that homosexuality is an “aberration”, and that it is “worth recalling” that homosexuality used to be criminalised.

The article reads in full:

GRAVE TURNER “THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS.” There is no better example of this than the Human Rights Act. Human Rights legislation has been used to overturn well founded taboos that have, hitherto, stood the test of time over many generations. Prominent amongst them has been the issues surrounding homosexuality, and the Roman Catholic’s opposition to public acceptance of homosexual practices as being anything other than the sin of sodomy. It is worth recalling that in these Islands and well within living memory, those practising homosexual acts were persecuted and punished. Clearly homosexuality is a naturally occurring phenomenon that is, nonetheless, an aberration. Such persons as suffer from it should-be treated with sympathy and understanding. What came next, in law, was permission. It declared that, in matters of sex, what happened between consenting adults in private was purely their business. What evolved following the change in the law was a change in language. No longer were homosexuals referred to as ‘queer’, which of course, they are being at odds with the natural ‘norm’, but ‘gay’. Hitherto ‘gay’ was understood to mean light hearted, and carefree with youthful connotations. This harmless and pleasant little word was skilfully adopted by organized homosexuals (Stonewall and the like) as a sort of camouflage disguising what they were really about, making it seem palatable. Time passes, and the media are constantly referring to the ‘gay movement’ and aggressive ‘gay pride’ marches are organized. ‘Gays’ are encouraged to ‘come out’, prominent people having already been ‘outed’ by the likes of the thoroughly odious Peter Tatchell, an alleged draft dodger from ‘down under’, now travelling under the ubiquitous human rights cloak covering anti-racism, and the outlawing of the so-called ‘homophobia’. School children – SCHOOL CHILDREN! – mark you, are encouraged to express their sexuality. So there you have it. In this country, homosexuality has gone from persecution, to permission, and thence promotion. When parliament passed the law making homosexuality legal, a well known figure was heard to remark “Knowing that lot, it’s a wonder they didn’t make it compulsory!” It was not homosexuality per se that caused the collapse of the great civilising empires of Greece, Rome, Britain, et al, but rather public acceptance of it was the exclamation mark that signalled the end of empire. With it came the weakening of the disciplined social structures that support law and order. Slowly, but surely, anarchy will take over. In passing, if the Scots don’t vote for ‘independence’ believing that they can’t make a better fist of it governing them selves than that shower in Westminster – they they deserve all they get – and suffer!

Editor Paul Henderson said in a letter to a PinkNews reader: “I am deeply sorry that you have been upset by the published article, that isn’t the intention of what we do.

“I regularly run articles with which I, in a personal capacity, do not agree with.

“It is there however to reflect the views/opinions/thoughts of the wider community across a wide range of subjects following the rules of legality, decency and honesty.

“This columnist in particular has very strong views on a number of subjects and inclusion in the paper is there to encourage debate, discussion and a viewpoint in areas that would not normally be carried in a small local paper.

“His column is not there to directly upset any particular individual, group, nationality or sector of the community.”

Mr Henderson – who says he has been interviewed by police over the article – declined to reveal the identity of the columnist.

He said: “It is common practice for local, regional and national papers to run columnist under a ‘non de plume’.

“The writer is of advancing years and is extremely well educated, has been known to me for close to twenty years and is not from this area.”

Mr Henderson added: “I’d like to assure you I personally do not share Grave Turner’s views in this particular article.

“If I did, then my nephew whom I’m very close to and who is in a long-term same sex relationship with a rugby player wouldn’t forgive me and neither would my own children as they care for him deeply.”

Mr Henderson told PinkNews he did not have further comment.