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Mayor hopefuls urge gay tolerance
Prosecuting "victimless crime" is a waste, say candidates
Police should not put resources into targeting gay men engaging in discreet public sex, London's mayoral candidates have said.
At a hustings meeting at London's National Film Theatre, all three parties' candidates said time and money should not be spent on the "victimless crime".
Labour's Frank Dobson told the audience: "If they are wasting their time roaming around public lavatories or raiding clubs they ought to have something better to do."
Tory candidate Steve Norris also called for a change in rules to give homophobic crime the same attention as race crime.
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Labour's Frank Dobson told the audience: "If they are wasting their time roaming around public lavatories or raiding clubs they ought to have something better to do."
Tory candidate Steve Norris also called for a change in rules to give homophobic crime the same attention as race crime.
 Steve Norris: "The Daily Telegraph won't be pleased..."
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And Liberal Democrat candidate Susan Kramer said "victimless crimes" should not to be given priority by the police, and urged the government to repeal Section 28.
"We have to recognise when we allow little bits of intolerance, that begins to legitimise discrimination which at its extreme end leads to homophobia and hate crimes,' she said.
Asked whether they agreed that police should turn a blind eye to gay cruising and discreet public sex, Mr Dobson said yes and Mr Norris said: "Much to the irritation of the Daily Telegraph I would."
The debate was also attended by Ken Livingstone, although he was not on the panel of candidates because he has not declared whether he is to run.
Mr Livingstone said part of the mayor's £3.5bn budget should be spent trying to eradicate anti-gay discrimination.
He told the audience the mayor should tell companies that he or she "would not do business with firms who discriminate against their gay and lesbian staff."
"We have to recognise when we allow little bits of intolerance, that begins to legitimise discrimination which at its extreme end leads to homophobia and hate crimes,' she said.
Asked whether they agreed that police should turn a blind eye to gay cruising and discreet public sex, Mr Dobson said yes and Mr Norris said: "Much to the irritation of the Daily Telegraph I would."
The debate was also attended by Ken Livingstone, although he was not on the panel of candidates because he has not declared whether he is to run.
Mr Livingstone said part of the mayor's £3.5bn budget should be spent trying to eradicate anti-gay discrimination.
He told the audience the mayor should tell companies that he or she "would not do business with firms who discriminate against their gay and lesbian staff."
 Frank Dobson: "The police shouldn't waste their time"
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Mr Livingstone also said he was sorry that he was taking so long to decide whether he would stand as an independent.
"I do apologise to those people who think I am taking an awful long time but it is the most difficult decision of my life," he said.
"I am hoping to see a lot more of you in the future."
The debate was organised by the Gay and Lesbian London Group.
It is estimated that there are about half a million lesbians and gay men in the capital and all parties recognise that their votes could be influential in the contest.
"I do apologise to those people who think I am taking an awful long time but it is the most difficult decision of my life," he said.
"I am hoping to see a lot more of you in the future."
The debate was organised by the Gay and Lesbian London Group.
It is estimated that there are about half a million lesbians and gay men in the capital and all parties recognise that their votes could be influential in the contest.
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