Tim Farron has quit as leader of the Liberal Democrats, saying he has found it “impossible” to lead the party and be a committed Christian.
He said he had been torn between his religion and serving as a political leader, and found himself to be “the subject of suspicion” because of his religious views.
Farron faced criticism during the general election campaign for failing to clarify whether he thought gay sex was a sin.
After days of pressure to clarify his stance, Farron eventually said he did not think it was a sin, but continued to face questions in interviews.
In his statement, he said the continued questions over his faith showed “we are kidding ourselves” if people in Britain thought they were living in a tolerant liberal society.
People on Twitter have been reacting to his departure, which came just hours after Lord Paddick – the party’s openly gay home affairs spokesman – said he was quitting over “concerns about the leader’s views on various issues”.
Some were sad to see Farron go and could understand the reasons behind it.
A passionate, principled and dignified resignation statement from @LibDems leader @timfarron. Faith and politics are always a difficult mix.
— Hamzah Muneer (@HamzahMuneer) June 14, 2017
Very respectable move from @timfarron He has decided to stand by his religion and you can't fault a man for that. https://t.co/9gfl0kbUsg
— Oscar Gomez Reaney (@oscargomez11) June 14, 2017
Once again a force for good is held back by religion. Sorry to see you go @timfarron
— Eleanor Parkin (@elaviv) June 14, 2017
But others were unhappy with the way he did it.
I quite like TIm Farron but really don't like him using his religion as his reason to quit as leader. It was never an issue as an MP.
— Sam Cook (@CookSamJ) June 14, 2017
Feels like Tim Farron is using religion as an excuse. Poor form.
— Alex Bowers ?? (@alex_bowers) June 14, 2017
I feel like I'm ranting over #TimFarron a bit much. I get annoyed when people use my faith which is about love to excuse their own hang ups.
— Geraint Thomas (@Dot_Communism) June 14, 2017
Farron said that he would carry on as party leader until Parliament breaks for the summer recess next month when an election for a new leader will be held.