THE homophobic views of government power brokers the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) are not welcome in Brighton and Hove, LGBT campaigners and politicians have said.

Labour politicians and equality activists have criticised the Conservative Party for relying on the DUP to form a new government.

The Northern Irish political group has MPs who have described gay people as “repulsive” and claimed only gay people can contract HIV. It also has representatives who are climate change deniers and who have called for creationism to be taught in schools.

But Conservative politicians in the city have accused their counterparts of having short memories and claimed that Gordon Brown courted the very same party in 2008.

Around 300 protesters marched through Brighton city centre on Saturday in opposition to the Conservatives’ negotiations over a “confidence and supply” agreement with the DUP in order to form a government after failing to achieve an outright majority.

Labour candidate Sophie Cook, who spoke at the rally, said the mood in the city was a determination to stand up against the DUP.

She said: “This coalition of cruelty just sums up how desperate the Tories are to hold on to power. It certainly does not represent the beliefs of Brighton and Hove or the beliefs of the majority of people in this country.

“We have made great strides in terms of LGBT rights and equality and on Thursday this country voted for a country that is fairer for everyone . This just seems to be a massive step backwards.

“The DUP are anti-abortionist, anti-choice, they want creationism taught in schools and they were involved with a campaign to ‘free Ulster from sodomy’.”

Paul Kemp, Brighton Pride CIC managing director, said: “It’s deeply concerning that the Government should consider placing such faith and power in the DUP who hold extreme and bigoted views on women’s and LGBT rights and marriage equality that many within our community find abhorrent.

“I’m proud to live in a city that celebrates and embraces diversity and forward thinking. “This year’s Pride celebrates everything we love about our wonderful city.”

Stonewall co-founder Simon Fanshawe said the DUP’s views would certainly be unwelcome in Brighton and Hove which voted in two gay Labour MPs with huge majorities.

He said: “Ruth Davidson tweeting her amnesty speech on same sex marriage was a shot across the bows to the DUP and anyone who would negotiate with them.

“I don’t think the DUP are in a position to affect LGBT rights across the UK but its likely they will demand no change in Northern Ireland. There is clearly a battle within the Tory party between the much more liberal side and the right wing one with a lurch to the right just to survive.

“LGBT rights are not guaranteed, we have to be very vigilant.”

Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle said: “The DUP are one of the most revolting parties in terms of their views on LGBT and women; they are not fit to be anywhere near government.

“This coalition of chaos between the Tories and the DUP will be very damaging for our country and this city if their views start seeping into the national discourse.”

Protest organiser Libby Barnes said: “When I woke up and saw Theresa May was planning to get in bed with the DUP – the racist, sexist, homophobic DUP – I said ‘we’ve got to do something about it here in Brighton’.”