A senior partner in a Croydon law firm has been accused of homophobia after attacking the Law Society for promoting gay pride.

David Moore, partner at Streeter Marshall, penned the email after a request from the society asking members to “celebrate and promote” Pride, a gay rights day.

In his reply, Mr Moore said the Law Society “should respect the fact that the very great majority of people in this country want to bring up their children as normal”.

He continued: “Is someone at the Law Society going to tell all solicitors that they must promote to all their male heterosexual staff that they should trying [sic] becoming gay or bisexual or transvestites or advise their female heterosexual staff to become lesbians or bisexuals? Whatever next?

“I am sure there will be hundreds and hundreds of solicitors who will see this press notice and will be equally horrified as I am, but very few will bother to write in to you for fear of being branded prejudiced.”

Mr Moore said his words have been misconstrued, with his intention being to question the use of Law Society funds to promote Pride when fellow members are struggling in difficult economic times.

The email was released by a fellow solicitor and member of the Law Society who was outraged when he saw the missive.

The source, who did not wish to be named, said: “I find it shocking people in his position still believe it acceptable to be homophobic and to take the next step and commit his opinions into writing.

"I do not believe he would have dared to make similar comments about race, gender or disability. As an employer he should know better.”

Mr Moore said: “The problem is the Law Society has become totally obsessed with political correctness.

“I suppose I was trying to be firm and get my argument across. If I had known it was going to be leaked I would have written in different terms but hindsight is a great thing.

“They have done a hatchet job on me.”

The Law Society said Mr Moore had not broken any rules and would not be punished.

A society spokesman said: “We are dismayed by views like this.

"Combating discrimination is not just about rules and regulations. It is also about promoting and celebrating diversity.

"The Law Society is working with the profession to secure a happy and supportive working environment for every solicitor built on an understanding of the hugely diverse society we all live in.”

Simon Hall, secretary of Croydon gay support group Crocus, said: “This outburst is misguided and we are absolutely sure it does not reflect the views of Law Society members in Croydon.

“It seeks to confuse promoting an event that is aimed at understanding tolerance and cohesion into something which aims to turn people into what they are not.

“We condemn this misguided and bigoted approach by this person.”

• What do you think? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.