Ben Summerskill vs Pink News

Last Sunday i blogged Ben Summerskill disappoints me (again).

I concluded by saying:

It was Ben’s comments at that meeting that damaged the reputation of Ben Summerskill and Stonewall among many Liberal Democrats and other supporters of same-sex marriage. I was disappointed in him then.

Despite Stonewall’s subsequent change in policy to support equality, for many people Ben Summerskill’s legacy at Stonewall will be remembered as including being behind the curve on same-sex marriage.

He now looks like he is blaming “cynical” Liberal Democrats for pushing the equality agenda faster that he wanted. And I am disappointed in him again.

That followed Pink News posting two stories:

Outrage as Ben Summerskill claims Lib Dems cynically and opportunistically supported equal marriage

Former Lib Dem MP Evan Harris refutes Ben Summerskill’s claim of ‘cynical’ support of equal marriage

Since then, Pink News has posted the following stories:

Sunday

Comment: Stonewall should distance itself from Ben Summerskill’s Lib Dem equal marriage comments
A comment article by Lib Dem councillor (and my friend) Mathew Hulbert defending the party against Ben's accusations

Monday

Nick Clegg is ‘sad and disappointed’ ex-Stonewall boss Ben Summerskill is trying to divide LGBT community
The Lib Dem leader joins in

Lib Dem MP Stephen Gilbert: Ben Summerskill tried to ‘rewrite history’ with attack on Lib Dems
As does a gay Lib Dem involved in the equal marriage campaign

Michael Cashman MEP: Ben Summerskill’s attack on Lib Dems undermines Stonewall’s founding principles
A Labour MEP and co-founder of Stonewall defends the Lib Dems

Comment: Ben Summerskill was ‘cynical’ about equal marriage, not the Lib Dems
A comment article by a former Lib Dem turned Labour activist also defends the Lib Dems

Tuesday

Lynne Featherstone: Former Stonewall boss Ben Summerskill ‘couldn’t be more wrong’
The Lib Dem minister who initially piloted the legislation through parliament responds

Wednesday

Ex-Stonewall boss Ben Summerskill: ‘10% of gay people are completely opposed to equal marriage’
Defending Stonewall's inaction from 2010 to 2012

On Thursday evening, Stonewall held an Equality Dinner to celebrate the anniversary of its founding. Ben Summerskill does not attend but tweets about it.

Friday

Stonewall co-founder: Ben Summerskill is damaging charity by attacking staff, trustees and sponsors
Michael Cashman goes on the offensive

Monday

Stonewall rejects allegations from Ben Summerskill that chair of board was sacked
Stonewall finally makes a statement - but only about the chair of its board, not Ben Summerskills comments about the Lib Dems.

So 11 stories in 8 days…

In the latest story Ben Summerskill is quoted accusing Pink News of having a “long history of a vendetta against Stonewall”.

Pink News said it has no vendetta, in a statement it said: “Since he has departed the organisation, we can report that we are on extremely good terms with its acting chief executive and chair and look forward to working together with Stonewall on projects to benefit the community as a whole.”

The stories do seem numerous but at the same time each are individually justified as a development in the story. 

In this case, my sympathies are with Pink News.