The Conservative party has joined an alliance in Europe which includes groups associated with right-wing extremism.

One of the parties, The Polish Law and Justice Party, has been accused of homophobia, racism and antisemitism.

The new alliance is called the European Conservatives and Reformists Group and includes 55 MEPs from eight member states.

The ‘anti-federalist’ European Conservatives and Reformists Group are keen to recruit more members to qualify them for full recognition in Strasbourg. It is predicted that the group will become the fourth largest bloc in the European parliament.

William Hague, senior Conservative, has said that the bloc will be “good for European democracy”. However, gay rights activist Peter Tatchell believes that the move is damaging to the image of the Conservative party.

“The modern, liberal image that David Cameron has been trying to cultivate is seriously damaged by his decision to team up with Poland’s homophobic Law and Justice Party (PiS),” says Tatchell.

“Jewish, gay and women voters will be appalled to see the Tories cooperating with such a nasty, bigoted party.

“It calls into question the sincerity of David Cameron’s professed conversion to progressive Conservatism.”

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