U.K.: Conservative Suspended for Antigay Tweet

A U.K. local-level Conservative was suspended Wednesday for making an antigay tweet, countering Prime Minister David Cameron's support for marriage equality.

Wycombe city counselor James Malliff wrote on Twitter, "There is no doubt the PM is wrong on this issue. We may as well legalise marriage with animals, crude I concede but no apology." Malliff's comment was directed to former Conservative MP Paul Goodman, who asked whether legalizing marriage for gay and lesbian couples could lead to the legalization of multiple Sharia marriages. Malliff deleted the tweet soon after making it, the London Evening Standard reports.

Labour MP Clive Betts called the statement "sick," and called for Malliff's resignation. A Conservative Party spokesman said Malliff's language was "completely unacceptable." According to The Independent, Malliff's local party association suspended him as of Wednesday.

The article was amended to reflect that Malliff is a city counselor. We regret the error.