Christian People's Alliance challenges Owen Jones to debate on Islam
The Christian People's Alliance is challenging Guardian columnist Owen Jones to a debate 'Christ v Islam' after a furious row on the BBC's Daily Politics show.
Party leader Sid Cordle clashed with Jones on the lunchtime programme over the CPA's policies on marriage, homosexuality and Islam.
After the debate, the CPA's twitter account challenged Jones to a debate.
Challenged @OwenJones84 to debate Christ v Islam.CPA policy is open debate.Can he or is he just churning out liberal prejudice. We shall see
— The CPA Party (@CPA_Party) May 9, 2017
Cordle, who used to be a Conservative party councillor, said: 'We're not against the people, we stand for the principles. As far as homosexuality is concerned, we believe we should protect marriage as between a man and a woman, because it's there for children.
'As far as we're concerned it's about protecting children. That's our priority.'
But Jones, who is an LGBT rights campaigner, rebutted Cordle and said: 'One of the many things that makes me proud to be British is that LGBT people who have fought against oppression and persecution for many years, who were persecuted because of people like yourself, have driven your bigotry back.
'You hate us for the rights that we have, rights which as British citizens other people take for granted.
'We love people, just as straight people do. We want the same rights. We're not asking for special treatment.'
Here's to the LGBT British heroes who have fought the bigotry of chumps like this. https://t.co/SrTd0tSe9v
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) May 9, 2017
Turning to the subject of Islam, Cordle insisted his party's policy was open debate.
Jones retorted by saying Cordle was 'a threat to our democracy'.
He said: 'There are millions of Muslims like the Mayor of London [Sadiq Khan] who have fought for the rights of LGBT people against the bigotry you represent, who believe in a secular democracy with equal rights for all.'
The segment ends with Cordle shouting over presenter Jo Coburn and accusing the BBC of 'fake news'.
You can watch it in full below: