Mike Freer claims Labour rivals ‘outed’ him as gay to Orthodox Jewish voters

Conservative parliamentary candidate Mike Freer claims Labour opponents ‘outed him’ to religious Jewish voters.

The Tory candidate for Finchley and Golders Green alleges that following Labour canvassing he had been asked by a number of Orthodox voters about his sexuality.

He told PinkNews: “We got a phone call in the office from a lady who said she had been canvassed by the Labour Party and wanted to know if it’s true if I was gay.

“Later, Orthodox Jewish councillors were out knocking on doors on my behalf and three residents also mentioned that Labour had been round and  they could no longer support me because I am gay.”

Freer, who recently married his partner of over 20 years, Angelo Crolla, is seeking to retain the seat which has the highest concentration of Jews in any constituency.

Freer said of the claims: “If it’s true, it’s appalling. It’s a sign of desperation.”

But he did concede:  “I’ve not seen it personally but I’d have thought better of my Labour opponent. I expect she doesn’t know anything about it.”

Sarah Sackman, Labour candidate for Finchley & Golders Green, told Jewish News: “Homophobia has no place in our society or in an election. I publicly support equal marriage and LGBT rights. If Mike Freer has any evidence supporting the statement he made to Pink News he should refer it to the police. That is the proper way to deal with this.”