Politicians condemn Tom Flanagan for suggesting child porn viewing is OK

EDMONTON – Politicians are swiftly condemning a former Stephen Harper strategist who suggested that looking at child pornography shouldn’t be a crime.

Tom Flanagan, who is a professor at the University of Calgary, made the comments at a community lecture in southern Alberta, a video of which was posted to YouTube.

In the video, Flanagan is asked about remarks he made regarding child pornography in 2009.

Flanagan said while he has no sympathy for child molesters, he has grave concerns about putting people in jail because of their taste in images.

Flanagan managed the 2012 Wildrose election campaign in Alberta and Leader Danielle Smith has put out a statement condemning what he said.

Premier Alison Redford says Flanagan’s remarks turned her stomach and are a perfect example of an ideological argument taken too far.

Calls to Flanagan’s office at the University of Calgary were not immediately returned.