A HAMPSHIRE LGBT organisation has spoken out over Tory plans to strike a deal with a party that is opposed to same-sex marriage.

Prime Minister Theresa May’s failure to gain enough seats to form a majority Conservative government in last week’s General Election means her party is now looking at forming a coalition or striking a deal with Westminster’s fifth largest party, Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party.

But critics of the DUP – which was founded by Ian Paisley – say that their record on LGBT rights is “alarming”.

The party, led by Arlene Foster, has blocked same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland and counts openly homophobic ministers among its ranks.

Speaking on behalf of the Hampshire Pride committee, co-chair Moira Smyth said: “In light of the pending coalition between the Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland, we at Hampshire Pride would like to register our grave concerns that the DUP will have a negative influence on Government decisions affecting the lives of not only LGBT+ people, but all who have enjoyed the freedoms of the last 15 years.

“We urge the current government to stand strong in the future focus that it has fought so hard to achieve. We welcome voices of inclusivity and love and we are wary of politics of judgement and condemnation.”

A spokesperson for Southampton Pride, which last year saw 5,000 attend the West Marlands Road event said: “At times like this when the country is divided politically, events like Pride are all the more important.”