BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw has dismissed a claim that he is the "poofter's pal" for promising to lift the nine-year-old ban against the promotion of homosexuality."

He has described reaction as "hysterical".

He reaffirmed Labour's long-standing commitment to repeal Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act if it took office.

The law bans teachers from representing homosexuality as an accepted form of family life and prevents councils from financially supporting groups seeking to portray homosexual relationships in a positive light.

It was introduced in response to Tory back bench concern that schoolchildren in some left-wing local authorities were being exposed to unsuitable material, although there has not been a single prosecution under the section.

Shadow Home Secretary Mr Straw also told a meeting of the gay rights movement Stonewall that Labour was committed to reducing the age of homosexual consent from 21 to 18.

Hayes and Harlington Tory MP Terry Dicks said Mr Straw had shown himself to be the "poofter's pal" saying "heterosexual sex is normal, homosexual is abnormal."

Spelthorn Tory MP David Wilshire said: "The only reason for abolishing it is to spend taxpayers' money on promoting homosexuality. I am disgusted."

Macclesfield Tory MP Nicholas Winterton said: "It's a return to old-style Labour political correctness."

But Mr Straw said: "This is a hysterical reaction. It is silly.

"It is a reasonable and fair thing to do. What are these MPs afraid of?"

Mr Straw also said several Tories supported the action and one, Harrow's Robert Hughes, had publicly backed it.

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