Cambridge students have reacted furiously to homophobic comments made by a Cambridge Liberal Democrat councillor.

Cambridgeshire county councillor Kilian Bourke created a group on social networking site Facebook called “Romsey 27 – The Legacy”, which he used to mock homosexuality.

Bourke boasted that the group could “ridicule all and sundry with their dazzling repertory [sic] of scathing insults, such as: That’s gay! Don’t be so gay! Are you gay or something? and Get out of my face you raging homo!”

Bourke also tells an anecdote on the site about going to a party, talking to a room full of men, and “feeling secure”, only to discover that some of them were gay.

Bourke’s remarks came under fire from students of all political affiliations.

George Owers, Chair of the Cambridge Universities Labour Club, described Bourke as a “principle-less opportunist”.  Speaking to Varsity, he said, “These comments are an absolute disgrace, the kind of thing you'd expect from a BNP councillor, not from a 'mainstream' politician. The Lib Dems claim to be supporters of gay rights, which have been so rapidly advanced by this Labour Government, but these comments bring that into question.”

He added, “Bourke should apologise to the people whom he is supposed to represent, and then resign.  If he decides to stay on, I hope they have the good sense to kick him out at the next election.”

John Oxley, Vice-Chairman of Cambridge University Conservative Association, told Varsity: “Whilst CUCA prefers not to comment on City politics, no elected representative should make such out-of-touch comments.

“Homophobia is an outdated and abhorrent prejudice, and has no place in modern politics. Mr Bourke should strongly consider both his actions and his position, which I for believe is untenable in light of such remarks.”

CUSU’s LGBT President Raymond Li, speaking to Varsity, said that he was “disgusted and surprised that such comments could come from a Lib Dem councillor, especially when the party he is working for is regarded for being LGBT-friendly.”

Chair of the Cambridge Student Liberal Democrats Dom Weldon told Varsity, “I despise homophobia and homophobic insults.”  However, he was keen to emphasise that “Bourke has apologised wholeheartedly for the offence caused by this unfortunate lapse.”

Bourke was also criticised by Cambridge Lib Dem MP David Howarth, who said, “I deplore any sort of homophobic behaviour. It is clear Councillor Bourke understands he has made a serious error of judgment.”

Bourke said that he apologised “unreservedly” for any offence caused by his comments.  He said, “I assure you they do not reflect my views.  They were made several years ago when I was a student and were intended as a stupid joke between friends.

Another CUSU LGBT executive, who wished to remain anonymous, told Varsity that the remarks had made him reconsider his personal political affiliation.  He said, “I’ve always voted Lib Dem but this would make me question my choice in any local elections for the Cambridge region.  Regardless of whether this councillor is homophobic, he is clearly unsuitable for public office due to his foolishness of using Facebook in such a childish and unprofessional manner.”

However, a first-year engineer disagreed, saying, “We all make mistakes.   Most people use the word ‘gay’ to mean bad or un-cool without being homophobic.”

A spokesperson for gay rights group Stonewall said that 95 per cent of school teachers reported hearing the phrase ‘that’s so gay’ in schools.

Bourke graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2005 with a degree in English before embarking on a Screen Media and Cultures postgraduate degree at the University.

Since coming under attack for his remarks, Bourke has cleared his profile page of all groups and links.