Tories host summit for gay groups

The Tories today set out to broaden their appeal by hosting a Commons summit for gay campaigners.

Television doctor David Bull and Metropolitan Police assistant deputy commissioner Brian Paddick were addressing the event, attended by 70 organisations.

It marked a further move by Michael Howard to transform the image of a party in which morality campaigners have long been more visible than supporters of gay rights.

But the event provoked a backlash among some Tory MPs and activists.

Former shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe accused Mr Howard of displaying "the wrong order of priorities".

She told Radio 4's Today programme: "Here we are, supposedly the party of the family.

"We are not offering a family summit, we are not offering a marriage summit, we are not offering a fathers-separated-from-their-children summit."