For the second year running, tensions within the current coalition government mean the UK will not be represented at an EU summit on LGBT rights.
The Sunday Times reports that the Conservative cabinet minister for Culture, Media & Sport, Sajid Javid, has barred the Lib Dem minister for equalities, Jenny Willott, from attending the summit in an official capacity.
The previous Liberal equalities minister, Jo Swinson, was similarly blocked from taking part in the 2013 summit by Javid’s predecessor, Maria Miller.
The combination of LGBT rights and the EU makes for a potent combination given the different values of each coalition party on each, both in Parliament and among grassroots members.
At the summit it is expected a declaration against homophobia will be signed by 11 EU member states.
