Cardiff University cancels talk from psychologist who said LGBT+ lessons can ‘corrupt’ children

Decision comes after an investigation was launched into Kate Godfrey-Faussett

Protests against LGBT+ lessons have been taking place outside school gates in Birmingham (Getty)

A psychologist who claimed lessons on LGBT+ relationships can “corrupt” children has has a talk cancelled by Cardiff University.

Dr Kate Godfrey-Faussett, a leading campaigner against relationship and sex education lessons, was due to give a speech on the topic at the university this weekend.

But it has cancelled the seminar organised by the Muslim Council of Wales, which it said had not followed their booking procedure.

It comes after the British Psychological Society (BPS) announced that it was investigating Dr Godfrey-Faussett over comments on sexual orientation and gender identity. It called them “unethical”.

The Muslim convert - who set up the petition calling for parents to be able to opt out of relationships education - was filmed as she said that many young Muslims were “turning to same-sex relationships because they haven’t had the guidance.”

In the video of Dr Godfrey-Faussett, uploaded in December, the psychologist argued that lessons on LGBT+ relationships – which use story books to teach about different families – are part of a “social engineering programme” to corrupt children."

She also complained about the “queering of the Muslim community” and urged people to “work psychologically or in a mental health capacity” with Muslims who were attracted to the same sex.

The BPS warned that her comments "have the potential to undermine the public’s confidence in the psychology profession".

Speaking to The Independent last week, Dr Godfrey-Faussett said she felt she’d already been “publicly hung, drawn and quartered” by her professional body.

The Muslim Council of Wales defended their decision to invite Dr Godfrey-Faussett to speak at the event which they said was to provide "information and guidance" on the proposed changes.

It was "reassured that she is committed to respectful and accurate dialogue on the sensitive topic of sex education in schools," a spokesperson told BBC Wales.

"There should be no question that LGBT+ communities in Wales should be free to live and love whom they wish, without fear of attack, censure, or abuse,” they added.

A Cardiff University spokesperson said: “Differing and often controversial views can be brought forward, listened to and challenged at universities. Our processes ensures that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that – within the law - freedom of speech is secured. However, as this event has not followed our procedure for carrying out relevant due diligence, we have taken the decision not to allow it to go ahead.”