A conservative Northern Irish politician has resigned after comparing homosexuality to bestiality and describing same-sex marriage as "unnatural and deviant behaviour."

Former MP Lord Ken Maginnis from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, quit the Ulster Unionist Party after being a member for over five decades. He was seen as a political liberal until recently.

Announcing his resignation, he said he had "agonised" over the decision as he had been surprised when his party distanced itself from remarks he made last June.

Announcing his resignation he said, "There is no room for independent or logical thinking and that does not suit me."

The 74-year-old made the comments on BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show, referring to "unnatural physical acts" by "deviants."

“This is based on sexual practice, now does that mean that every deviant practice has to be accommodated? Will the next thing be that we legislate for some sort of bestiality?"

He added, "These are people that seem to take some pride expressing their particular rights. I disagree with those rights and that deviance."

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Maginnis described gay relationships as a “rung on the ladder” towards bestiality.

Senior party members moved quickly to distance themselves from his statements.

“Lord Maginnis was speaking in a personal capacity without our knowledge or permission and his comments do not reflect Ulster Unionist Party policy,” it said in a statement.