BLACKPOOL South MP Gordon Marsden has announced his homosexuality on the eve of the Government's debate on the age of consent issue.

The announcement will be no surprise to many, said the 44-year-old, but putting it on record is timely as a House of Commons Bill set to lower the minimum legal age to 16 is tabled to be heard in two weeks.

He told the Citizen: "I have never made a secret of the fact that I am gay, but the time is right to confirm it.

"I felt that with the age of consent debate coming up and the fact that I intend to support it, I wanted my sexuality to be a matter of public record."

Mr Marsden was elected as a new MP just a year ago, with a vote of close to 30,000 - beating Conservative Richard Booth to represent the South constituency for Labour.

He said his decision to come out as a homosexual would not affect his work as a Member of Parliament in any way.

He said: "In this day and age there are many MPs who are openly gay, but I feel people judge those MPs on the basis of their activities on behalf of their constituents.

"Their private life and their sexuality is not relevant to that work and I do not anticipate any effect on my day-to-day work as an MP.

"This announcement will come as no surprise to many of the people who know me.

"The fact that I am gay has never been a secret."

Several new members of the Government are known to be gay, including Heritage Secretary Chris Smith and South Ribble MP David Borrow who revealed his homosexuality earlier this week.

Mr Marsden said the increase in numbers was not a factor in this week's decision.

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