Last updated: 15/10/2007
Hate book

Homophobic comments posted on Facebook have landed a Conservative student leader in trouble.

Fergus Bowman, a student at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), has been ejected from the Conservative Party and suspended from the university and students' union pending investigation.

He is now being investigated by local police for hate crime.

Whilst chairman of Preston Conservative Future, Bowman, 22, led a public group called 'homos burn in hell', which pictured a hooded Ku Klux Klan member beside a burning cross. The group's description was stated as, "Everyone knows homosexuality is against God's wishes."

The groups ‘recent news’ claims, “The Gays are gaining ground, we must stop them.”

In one message Bowman made abusive links between homosexuals and the AIDs virus saying: "Why are we calling them Gays? By calling them Gay we are destroying a word from the English language. We must respect the English Language it is all that separates us from the animals. I prefer to call them Aids Monkeys."

In addition to this he lists 'Mein Kampf' by Adolf Hitler in his favourite books and posts a message claiming to be anti-Semitic.

Officers at Preston Police's diversity unit are now working with the university and the company behind Facebook to gather futher information before making a report to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Sgt Phil Orm of the diversity unit said: "The police are aware of the situation and an investigation is being undertaken into it. A report will be submitted to the CPS following the investigation and they will judge whether a prosecution should be made."

The homophobic comments were unearthed by UCLan's student newspaper Pluto, which reported them to the Students' Union.

Bowman has since been expelled from the national Conservative Party, with the issue reportedly having reached as high as party leader David Cameron, and suspended from the university.

A Conservative spokesman said: “Fergus Bowman’s comments are appalling and we condemn them absolutely. He has been expelled from the Conservative party. There’s no place for homophobia in today’s Britain.”

“The Conservative party actively supports gay rights,” he added.

He has also resigned as chairman of Preston Conservative Future, one of the many Conservative student groups around the UK, and the Students’ Union President suspended him from using any SU buildings or participating in clubs and societies whilst an investigation was completed.

UCLan Students’ Union President Chris Lowden said: “We are committed to equal opportunities.”

“Fergus’ comments breached our constitution. We cannot and will not tolerate such material coming out from one of our members. Everyone should be treated with respect and consideration whatever their sexual orientation, gender or race is.”

In an apology to Pluto Bowman claimed that he didn’t know the group was public.

“The comments were made as a private joke amongst colleagues in a group. It was not our intention to joke about gay people,” he said.

“I regret that the comments have caused offence and I deeply apologise to anyone who has been offended by them. I do not advocate homophobia.”

Mr Bowman said he never forces his views on anyone else, “I believe people should have the freedom of choice. That is the essence of conservatism.”

“This is free speech and I believe people should be able to stand up for what they believe in. I don’t force my views on anybody else.”

“Mein Kampf is my favourite book as an academic text but I don’t endorse those views,” he stated.

The remarks have sparked outrage from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups on the UCLan campus and across the country.

Scott Cuthbertson, the National Union of Students LGBT officer, has complained to the company behind Facebook who have now removed the group.

“LGBT students have the right to go about their lives without fear of intimidation or attack,” he said.
“Discriminatory groups like the one set up on the Facebook network are unacceptable and against the values of today’s society.”

Will Brown, a member of UCLan’s LGBT society, said: “It makes me seriously angry that some students at UCLan think it’s okay to be on a website that promotes physical harm to lesbian and gay students.”
“I will do anything to protect these students and having something like that here is absolutely unacceptable.”

“UCLan and Preston is supposed to be one of the safest, most tolerant places for homosexual people but if there is going to be threats to students who are unsure of their sexuality then these people are going to just stay in the closet. They’re not going to be themselves.”

Jason Morkin, chairman of UCLan’s LGBT society, said: “I am now scared for the future people who take on the job as chairman and people who have been involved for their group safety.”

“I’ve had homophobic comments in the past but it shocks me now because I always thought the Conservative Future society were a sexually friendly group.”

Mark Jewell, chairman of Preston Liberal Democrats, condemned the Conservative party. He said “This is utterly disgraceful to come from someone representing a major political party. The comments about aids show a disgraceful ignorance of aids and its causes.”

The Pluto story caused a media furore with the story covered in papers all over the UK, including the Daily Mail and the Guardian, and on many websites.

by Ricki Dewsbury