London Mayor draws fire for attending crazy exorcist’s Christmas carol service

THE clownish Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is facing strong criticism for participating in a carol service at a church that admits to carrying out “exorcisms” on gay people.

Johnson, according to this report, attended the service on December 9 at the Jesus House Church in Barnet. It is led by Pastor Agu Irukwu and is part of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Boris Johnson in full yawn mode

The church carries out “exorcisms” of gays, but insists that such “exorcisms” are done only with the calm consent of the person concerned. This has failed to satisfy critics, who are comparing the incident to a decision by the previous Mayor, Ken Livingstone, to host a fundamentalist Muslim preacher.

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said:

Boris Johnson has made a big mistake by agreeing to attend a carol service hosted by a homophobic clergyman. Pastor Agu Irukwu is a long-time opponent of gay equality.

The Mayor’s press office said that he was attending the service “to kick off a host of festive celebrations across the capital” and that he will later attend services in Southwark Cathedral and Trafalgar Square.

But Tatchell insisted:

Boris should investigate the people who invite him before accepting their invitations. He should not attend this church, for the same reason that he should not attend a church where the pastor preaches against black or Jewish people or against equal rights for women or Muslims.

Irukwu campaigned against the Sexual Orientation Regulations in 2006, which gave gay, lesbian and bisexual people protection from discrimination in the provision of goods and services. He signed a statement rejecting the notion “that homosexuality is equal to heterosexuality”.

Exorcist Agu Irukwu: 'a bigoted dingbat'

Ron Liddle, writing today in the Sunday Times, commented:

Great news for Britain’s homosexuals: Pastor Agu Irukwu … will exorcise your vile, faggotty demons in the name of Je-sus and make you straight as a die before you can say Judy Garland. However, he will perform such exorcisms only on homosexuals who, he says, are ‘calm’, so try to compose yourselves while you file in for treatment.

This bigoted dingbat was the surprising choice of Boris Johnson … Surprising, because the Conservative party, under David Cameron, has gone to great lengths to pretend that it is not remotely homophobic but modern, inclusive, terribly good with colours, interior design etc. Maybe Boris would prefer the party to return to its traditional stance of approving buggery only if it takes place in school dormitories and everyone keeps quiet about it until their memoirs are published. I wonder what carol they kicked off with, though.

Once in Boris Johnson’s city
Lived the Pastor Irukwu
Who would cure the dykes and poofters
If they said a prayer or two.