TIM Farron MP has admitted he regrets saying he believed gay sex is not a sin in the run up to last year's general election.

The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP's campaign as Liberal Democrat party leader was dominated by repeated questions on the subject.

But in an interview with the BBC, he eventually commented on the matter, saying: "I don't believe gay sex is a sin."

Yesterday, however, in an interview on Premier Christian Radio's Inspirational Breakfast show, the MP said he regretted the statement.

When asked if he felt under pressure to comment at the time, he said: "Of course I did. There are things, including that, that I said that I regret."

He went on to clarify his position, saying: "There are (people) who just can't comprehend how somebody can have really strong convictions and be a Bible-believing Christian on one hand and at the same time really passionately believe in people's rights to make their own choices. Essentially that's what liberalism is."

He added: “It’s tricky really. In the end, if you’re a Christian, you’ve got a very clear idea of what you think a sin is. It is us falling short of the glory of God. That is something that all of us share.

“To be asked that question is to persecute one group of human beings, because sin is something we are all guilty of.

“If you’re not a Christian, what does sin mean? It’s to be accused of something, it’s condemnatory. We’re talking different languages.

“Maybe I could have explained that, and the Biblical teaching on sex and sexuality. But let’s be brutally honest, with the exception of programmes like this you don’t get more than 20 seconds to get your message across.”

Mr Farron's press spokesperson offered no further comment on the matter when contacted by The Westmorland Gazette.