Tom Elliot, leader of the conservative Ulster Unionist party, has accepted an invitation to meet with representatives of the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association (NIGRA). Elliot attracted criticism in September as a contender for the party leadership after he told a newspaper that he would “wouldn’t go” to a Gay Pride march.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that P A Mag Lochlainn of NIGRA asked to meet with Mr Elliot after the party leader claimed to find support amongst the members of a gay website. Mr Lochlainn explains that he was “intrigued by Tom’s assertion that he had received support from gay voters, and delighted when he backed it up by referring to views he’d read on gay websites”. He has expressed a desire to discuss issues of violence, bullying and discrimination against LGBT people with Mr Elliot.

The Ulster Unionist leader has said that he would be “happy” to meet with the group and “hear their concerns”. This statement follows a revision of his previous stance on Pride marches, in which he indicated that he might be prepared to accept an invitation to attend such an event.

In last year’s General Election the Ulster Unionist candidate for South Atrim was deselected after being accused of homophobia.