LONDON - The House of Commons voted by a majority of 68 last night against the ban on homosexuals serving in the armed forces. Eight Tory backbenchers defied the government in the 188-120 vote.
The only Irish MP to vote was Mr William Ross of the Ulster Unionist Party, who voted against the motion. None of the SDLP or DUP MPs voted.
The outcome sparked angry protests from gay rights and civil liberties groups, who condemned the decision as an attack on equality. Mr Peter Tatchell of the pressure group Outrage, said: "The Gay community put its trust in MPs to overturn this unjust ban but they voted to perpetuate discrimination. The democratic process has failed us. MPs cannot clearly be trusted to uphold gay human rights."
