SCOTLAND'S only Brexit Party MEP has quit the party over a homophobia row involving a general election candidate.
Louis Stedman-Bryce was elected to the European Parliament in May.
Six months later, he has left Nigel Farage's party, claiming it "may have changed its position on Brexit" and that the selection of a Scots general election candidate who attacked lesbians and "beta males" on social media.
Victor Robert Farrell, from Methil, was chosen as the Brexit Party candidate for Glenrothes.
However, the party has now withdrawn its support for the evangelical pastor over comments posted in 2017, including one that complained of "young lesbians in parliament, old lesbians leading political parties" and "perverts pushing sodomite rights”.
A website promoting Farrell's campaign was taken down on Monday night, when the Brexit Party said it "does not share these views".
But today Stedman-Bryce, who is married to his business partner Gavin Stedman-Bryce, said his values are now "in direct conflict" with those of the party.
The decision to quit comes one week after he announced he would not stand as a Westminster candidate.
In a video posted to Twitter, he stated: "Last week I announced on Twitter that it was with a heavy heart that I would be standing down as a candidate in the forthcoming general election. This week it saddens me further to say that I have taken the decision to leave the Brexit Party.
It saddens me to leave the @brexitparty_uk today.
— Louis Stedman-Bryce (@Lstedmanbryce) November 19, 2019
I WILL NOT AND CANNOT compromise on my personal values, but I will continue to represent Scotland in the European Parliament. pic.twitter.com/hI2sFrLC0s
"This is because I find myself in a situation were my personal views are now in direct conflict with those of the party and this for me is an area where I cannot and will not comprimise.
"Almost a quarter of a million people in Scotland voted for the Brexit Party to represent them here in the European Parliament and to ensure that Scotland had a voice in the Brexit debate but unfortunately I feel that the party has repeatedly failed to deliver on either of those promises.
"The Brexit Party's recent decision to select a Scottish candidate who has openly posted homophobic material across social media is not only a betrayal of the LGBT community but also a betrayal of everyone who beleives that such divisive and hateful views have no place in our society.
"Whilst the Brexit Party's position on Brexit may have changed, mine has not and I remain committed to Brexit and to the people of Scotland who voted for me and I will fight on unhindered as an independent MEP to ensure our voice is heard."
The Brexit Party said it "cut ties with Victor Farrell almost as soon as his comments came to light", adding: "We are sad to see Louis Stedman-Bryce go and we will always oppose bigotry and fight for a proper Brexit."
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