Why Jeremy Corbyn wants to meet Tyson Fury

British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has spoken out on Tyson Fury’s offensive homophobic comments and indicated his desire to meet with the boxer in person.

It was back in November, when the 27-year-old heavyweight likened homosexuality to pedophilia in an interview with The Mail on Sunday, among other vile comments suggesting his wife’s role was primarily to cook, clean and look after the kids.

The subsequent backlash against Fury has included an online petition of some 139,000 signatures urging the BBC to exclude Fury from the BBC Sportsperson of the Year shortlist, which is to be announced tonight in Belfast.

Speaking of his first 100 days in office, Corbyn told the Huffington Post he wanted to “have a chat” with Fury, to explain it was “OK” for people to be gay.

“I wish he hadn’t made those remarks. I’m very unclear as to what he actually believes. I’d like to meet him and have a chat, if he’s up for it,” he said.

“I think there’s good in everybody. So let’s recognise we live in a world where people are gay, people are straight, people are transsexual, it’s OK, it’s not the end of the world, people have different faiths, it’s OK, it’s not the end of the world.

“I’d love to have a chat with him. I don’t know how he’d be with me, but I’m sure we could find something to talk about.”

While Corbyn said he would not vote for any of the athletes in the BBC Sportsperson of the Year, he said boxing could have a positive impact on young people in the community.

“I’m not a great boxer, but I have visited the local boxing club and had a chat with them and they do good stuff with bringing degree of order into kids’ lives, I get on OK with them.”