Holness gets support - British PM promises to help reform anti-gay laws

British Prime Minister Theresa May has apologised for Britain's historical legacy of anti-gay laws across the Commonwealth as its 53 leaders gathered in London for their annual summit.

"Nobody should face persecution or discrimination because of who they are or who they love," May said.

Her statement comes after Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that he does not support discrimination in the LGBT community and expressed a willingness to have gays in his Cabinet.

Holness' stance appears as if it would receive support from May, who also said "The UK stands to help any Commonwealth members wanting to reform outdated legislations that makes such a discrimination possible".

She said that she is sorry for the contribution that her country made in the past in helping to shape laws that criminalise same-sex marriage.

DISCRIMINATION

"I am all too aware that some of these laws were put in place by my own country. They were wrong then and they are wrong now. As UK's Prime Minister, I deeply regret both the fact that such laws were introduced and the legacy of discrimination and violence and even death that persists today," she said.

May said that people around the world have been affected by discriminatory laws and that must stop. She added that nations should learn to respect other cultures and traditions.

She admitted that there has been progress in recent years but lamented that there is much left to do.