David Cameron has apologised on behalf of the Conservative Party for Section 28, the legislation introduced by Margaret Thatcher banning the promotion of homosexuality.

Speaking at a joint fundraising event for Gay Pride and the Conservatives, he said that Section 28 had been a “mistake” but that the party had moved on since its introduction in 1988. “I’m sorry for Section 28,” he said. “We got it wrong. It was an emotional issue. In wanting to make the party representative of the country, I think we have made some real progress.

“The Conservatives had the first woman prime minister and we are bound to have the first black prime minister and the first gay prime minister,” he said.

Mr Cameron, who admitted he did not have a perfect record on gay rights, also praised Tory local associations for choosing more openly gay candidates.

Ben Summerskill, of the gay rights group Stonewall, praised the speech but Lord Tebbit, the former Conservative Party chairman, said: “I certainly don’t think Section 28 is something the Tory party should be apologising for. I would say this apology is about focus group findings.”

Section 28, part of the Local Government Act 1988, was introduced after some Labour councils began promoting gay relationships in schools. It was axed by Tony Blair in 2003.

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