BOLTON’S three MPs have roundly dismissed claims that it would be harder for politicians to come out as gay in the town compared with in other constituencies in the south.

David Crausby, Yasmin Qureshi and Chris Green have rubbished claims made by journalist and former Tory MP Matthew Parris on national radio last month.

He was speaking during a discussion on BBC Radio Five Live’s Breakfast programme after the Conservative Scottish Secretary, David Mundell came out publically as gay.

Mr Parris — who is also gay and came out during a debate in Parliament in the 80s — said that while there is generally nothing to worry about anymore for gay MPs, a politician may find it harder to come out in a an area like Bolton compared with Islington in London.

He said: “I think there is probably nothing to worry about anymore but people do worry and there will still be young people in both the Labour and Conservative parties wondering if it might just tip the balance.

“It depends where it is — if it is in Islington, no problem, if it is Bolton, there might be a problem.”

Presenter Rachel Burden questioned whether people in Bolton would feel his comments were fair and according to the borough’s three current MPs, Mr Parris was way off the mark.

Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East said: “What absolute rubbish, this is just a very lazy stereotype and I do not think for one minute that the sexuality of a candidate would make the slightest bit of difference to people in my constituency.

She added: “I voted in favour of same-sex marriage and ended up with a 3,000 increase in my majority so people clearly don’t care.”

Her fellow Labour MP David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, pointed to the hosting of the first ever Bolton Pride event last year as evidence of the progress made in the area.

He said: “I think that comment demonstrates some prejudice on his part and he should know better.

“I don’t think there is a difference between the North and the South on issues like this — things are moving very quickly and Mr Parris has not kept up.”

Chris Green, the Conservative MP for Bolton West agreed, he said: “I think the comments are quite unfair and it probably reflects on his infrequent visits to Bolton.

“I think he has looked for a stereotype to make his point but it doesn’t reflect what modern society in Bolton is like — people are not judged on their sexuality and it is just not a big deal.”