Britain warns African nations over gay persecution

http://www.britainnews.net/story/857295

Britain has warned the poverty-stricken African countries over the persecution of homosexuals as this will lead to their aid being slashed, the Daily Mail reported.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has already cut aid to Malawi by 19 million pounds after two gay men were sentenced to 14 years hard labour under the country's rigidly imposed ban on homosexuality.

The British government described their jailing as 'shocking and disturbing'. The two men were later freed, but Malawi's defiant President Bingu wa Mutharika went ahead with new anti-lesbian laws, prompting a sharp rebuke from Mitchell.

Mitchell has warned the country's leaders to scrap plans to introduce the draconian new anti-lesbian laws.

Mitchell has also threatened to impose further aid 'fines' against Uganda and Ghana for hardline anti-gay and lesbian measures.

The policy was disclosed after Prime Minister David Cameron defended his decision to legalise gay weddings when he addressed last week's Conservative Party conference.