Conservative candidate Miriam Cates has come under scrutiny for her past role as a trustee of St Thomas Philadelphia Church in Sheffield, which has been accused of endorsing conversion therapy and conducting exorcisms aimed at 'curing' homosexuality. Reports indicate that the church believed gay people were possessed by demons and engaged in practices such as 'healing' and 'exorcisms.' Despite these allegations, Cates has consistently opposed a government ban on conversion therapy. She has denied any involvement or awareness of such practices during her time at the church and condemned them. Additionally, it has been revealed that Cates sought assistance from the Bayswater Support Group, known for anti-LGBTQ+ conversion practices, to influence policies that rolled back trans rights in the UK. A report from Barnardos highlighted the traumatic nature of these practices. Cates was also the lead safeguarding trustee at the church during this period.
🚨REVEALED Tory candidate Miriam Cates solicited help from Bayswater Support Group – a parent group engaged in anti-LGBTQ+ conversion practices – to bring about policies which rolled back trans rights in the UK https://t.co/GffC5xKF73
When I introduced a bill to ban conversion therapy opponents like @miriam_cates told me it was their concern for children that motivated them. This report makes clear she was personally the lead safeguarding trustee in a church that conducted this abuse. https://t.co/uRIeDkQjzE
Conservative candidate Miriam Cates was trustee of church that "endorsed" conversion therapy, BBC learns https://t.co/paoWcAvBOR
It has been reported that I was once part of a church that has been accused of gay conversion therapy. I have never been involved with or aware of such ‘therapy’ taking place and strongly condemn such practices. Now back to knocking on doors… 🗳️
BREAKING Tory “Miriam Cates was a trustee of a church while it promoted so-called (gay and lesbian) conversion therapy” - BBC Horrific report from Barnardos about “spirits” “healing” and “exorcisms” at the Church to “convert” from being gay or lesbian. “During her time in… https://t.co/swQLLplgkW
Miriam Cates has consistently opposed a government ban on conversion therapy. https://t.co/vlBcQHa3XV
Tory candidate was trustee of church which believed that gay people are possessed by demons. These views and the traumatic “exorcisms” based on them were widespread in St Thomas Philadelphia Church Sheffield whilst she was a trustee.@MattDrapps https://t.co/NyHH0EYuaA
Tory candidate was trustee of church that ‘endorsed’ conversion therapy https://t.co/AmuJkbdh16