A CONSERVATIVE councillor has paid the price for joking that a modern Noah would be forced to find room for gay animals on his Ark.

David Clutterbuck, who made the comment in an e-mail, was suspended from two key committees, then resigned from the Tory party, saying that he would stand in future as an independent.

Mr Clutterbuck, 72, was told that his comment was unacceptable and had offended Bournemouth’s large gay community.

The joke was made in response to a tongue-in-cheek e-mail about all the bureaucratic problems that Noah would encounter if he were building the Ark in 2006.

The e-mail said that he would have to obtain planning permission, abide by building regulations, carry out an environmental impact study, install a fire sprinkler system and seek advice from the RSPCA.

In his reply Mr Clutterbuck said: “I imagine now it would be illegal to only have animals of the opposite sex!” His comment was then sent to all the members of the Liberal Democrat-run Bournemouth Borough Council, which had been on the e-mail’s original mailing list. They demanded that Mr Clutterbuck apologise and that he undertake compulsory equality training.

However, it was Mr Clutterbuck’s own Conservative group that took action against him yesterday.

Stephen MacLoughlin, the leader of the council’s Tory group, said: “In the light of derogatory comments made by Councillor Clutterbuck regarding gay people, we have taken immediate action. His statements have caused offence, particularly in Bournemouth’s gay community. They are contrary to the council’s equality and diversity policies.

“His comments are unacceptable, especially from someone who deals with personnel and community issues. I hope he thinks seriously about the offence he has caused, and that he will act appropriately.”

Mr MacLoughlin said that Mr Clutterbuck had been suspended from two committees on which he sits. But Mr Clutterbuck said yesterday that he decided to resign after being told he was being suspended.

Mr Clutterbuck, who has been a councillor for 19 years, said: “I stand by my comments and I haven’t done anything wrong. I am not homophobic and sent the e-mail as a joke.” He claimed to have received more than 100 messages of support, many from gay people.

Times Recommends

• Donor organ allowed child’s own heart to heal
• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Sacha Baron Cohen forced to tone down Brüno