UKIP's Stockton South candidate criticised after suggesting storms were 'God's reply' to gay marriage bill

A UKIP parliamentary candidate has been criticised after he made a comment online suggesting wild storms were “God’s reply” to gay marriage laws.

UKIP accused political rivals of “trawling Facebook” attempting to find material that could embarrass Ted Strike in the run up to the general election, as the post was made in 2013.

Mr Strike, who was selected by Nigel Farage’s party to stand in Stockton South, was forced to take down the post after the party launched an internal investigation.

His post reads: “Britain is being battered by storms yet again, not long after the worst storms in over 100 years, whilst I feel for those affected by these “Acts of God”, is it God’s reply to Cameron’s Coalition Government’s un-Godly change in the law on marriage?”

The post was made in 2013 after the same-sex marriage bill was passed in that July.

The first ceremonies were able to take place last year after the law came into force.

UKIP said the party took action and accused political opponents of attempting to find potentially embarrassing by Mr Strike, who has run for the Christian Party in the same constituency in 2010.

Facebook post by Ted Strike

Louise Baldock, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Stockton South, said the post showed Mr Strike had “old-fashioned views”.

She added: “He is expressing out-of-date, out-of-touch and homophobic views.

“These are views from the 19th Century and it isn’t the way a modern parliamentarian who represents a diverse community should be speaking.”

James Wharton, the Conservative MP for Stockton South, said he had found Mr Strike to be a “decent person” but said the UKIP candidate should clarify his comment as soon as possible.

“There are many things I disagree with Ted on and this is a clear and unusual example of that,” he said.

“I am not sure why he felt the need to say such a thing but I’ve always found him a decent person when I’ve met him so I hope he is able to clarify his comments and they are not as first appears.”

A UKIP spokesman said the post was from a long time ago.

He said: “After this posting on Christmas Eve 2013, it was investigated internally and the post was taken down.

“It does seem that there are those that spend more time trawling old Facebook posts rather than campaigning for a better Britain, that is a shame.”

The Sunday Sun attempted to contact Mr Strike directly but he did not return our calls or emails.