Labour candidate dismisses gay sex offences

A Labour candidate with convictions for gay sex offences today dismissed the incidents as "no more than what you see in Coronation Street".

Tony Page was chosen by party members to fight marginal Reading East at the next election. He replaces "Blair Babe" Jane Griffiths, who became the first Labour MP in a decade to suffer deselection.

Mr Page made the connection with the TV soap following its storyline last year, which included its first gay kiss between two male characters, Todd Grimshaw and his girlfriend's brother Nick Tilsley.

Public relations consultant and bus company executive Mr Page now lives with his partner in a long-term relationship. In 1989 and 1995 he was arrested for " cottaging" offences, relating to sexual activity with other men in public places. On each occasion he received a conditional discharge.

Mr Page, 50, said he had always been open about his sexuality and it had never been an issue with voters. He accused critics of "raking over stuff which has been in the public domain for many years", adding: "I have been re-elected three times as a councillor since then. My record of 30 years' public service stands me in good stead.

"The electorate in Reading puts this in its proper context - it is not an issue. My so-called offence was no more than what you see in Coronation Street every week. I have said all I need to on this."

Ms Griffiths was ditched after falling out with Labour MPs and party members. In a final blast at the party she accused it of " institutional sexism" and branded the activists who ousted her as men who were "brought up to be waited upon by women" and "think in some way they are superior to women".

By contrast, Mr Page is wellliked within Labour and highly rated as a political operator. He worked at Westminster as a researcher to Labour spokesmen Jack Cunningham and Gerald Kaufman during the party's years in opposition.

His first arrest followed an encounter with a man in a public car park. The second incident took place in a lavatory cubicle at Reading train station. At least one of the arrests was understood to be the result of a police "sting" operation, of the kind once commonly carried out to target gay men.

As recently as the 1980s it was considered impossible for an openly gay politician to sit in the Commons. Today there are at least six openly gay Labour MPs whose sexuality has not stood in the way of their election or promotion.

Mr Page, a Blairite in the mainstream-of the Labour Party, said his priorities as an MP would be to campaign for more affordable housing and for action against crime and drugs. He was congratulated by Ms Griffiths after securing a clear victory at a selection meeting on Sunday night.

Martin Salter, Labour MP for neighbouring Reading West, said: "I have known and worked with Tony for 21 years and I have absolutely no doubt that he will be a highly effective and extremely professional MP."