British prime minister David Cameron has ruled out a British boycott of next year’s Winter Olympics in Russia, claiming that anti-gay prejudice will be better tackled by attending the event.
In a response, which follows a much publicised intervention from broadcaster Stephen Fry, Mr Cameron said he shared the “deep concern” about the abuse of gay people in Russia.
On Twitter the prime minister said “I believe we can better challenge prejudice as we attend, rather than boycotting the Winter Olympics.”
In an open letter posted on Mr Fry’s website earlier this week the broadcaster called for the 2014 games to be moved from Russia because of concerns about anti-gay laws passed in the country.
The writer and actor compared the situation to the decision to hold the 1936 games in Nazi Germany and said Russian president Vladimir Putin “is making scapegoats of gay people”.
Mr Fry also added that “An absolute ban on the Russian Winter Olympics of 2014 on Sochi is simply essential”.
“Stage them elsewhere in Utah, Lillehammer, anywhere you like. At all costs Putin cannot be seen to have the approval of the civilised world”.
In the letter, which was also sent to London 2012 supremo Lord Coe and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Fry added: “The Summer Olympics of 2012 were one of the most glorious moments of my life and the life of my country”.
“For there to be a Russian Winter Olympics would stain the movement forever and wipe away any of that glory,” he wrote.
Addressing the prime minister directly, Fry said he was “a man for whom I have the utmost respect”.
He also added that inspite of Mr Cameron being the leader of a party which he “opposed and instinctively disliked” for most of his life the prime minister showed a “determined, passionate and clearly honest commitment to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights”.
“[YOU] helped push gay marriage through both houses of our parliament in the teeth of vehement opposition from so many of your own side,” he wrote.
“For that I will always admire you, whatever other differences may lie between us. In the end I believe you know when a thing is wrong or right. Please act on that instinct now”.
Mr Fry’s appeal came after politicians in Russia’s lower house of parliament, the Duma, passed a law imposing heavy fines for providing information about homosexuality to people under 18.
Last month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it would “work to ensure that the Games can take place without discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and the media”.
It said: “To that end, the IOC has received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games.”
PA