By Nick Butler

Maria Miller has described how Britain will provide support for gay rights groups in Russia during Sochi 2014 ©Getty ImagesJanuary 30 - Extra funding is being provided by the British Government for gay rights campaigners in Russia ahead of next week's Olympic Games in Sochi, Women and Equalities Minister Maria Miller has revealed.


A further twist in the long-standing gay rights saga barely a week before the Opening Ceremony of the Games, the announcement was described as the "right thing to do" and follows previous British criticism of Russia's laws outlawing "non-traditional sexual relations".

Miller, who is also Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, claimed in an interview with the BBC the need to use the "opportunity of the Winter Games to underline the importance of treating people fairly, which is at the heart of the Olympic Charter and important to the Olympic Movement.

"I think it's important that we state very clearly as a country we believe in freedom of speech and we believe in universal human rights.

"As a result of the changes in the laws in Russia, there are considerable strains on gay rights.

"We are already putting in place additional support to make sure that gay rights organisations have got the sort of support and expertise that I think can make a real difference with the work they are doing on the ground in Russia."

There have already been many protests, in Russia and the rest of the world, over the anti-gay rights laws ©AFP/Getty ImagesThere have already been many protests, in Russia and the rest of the world, over the anti-gay rights laws ©AFP/Getty Images


Although no countries have seriously considered a full boycott, many leaders have opted not to attend including United States President Barack Obama, with the American delegation to be led by three openly gay figures in former tennis player Billie Jean King, two-time Olympic ice hockey medallist Caitlin Cahow, and ex-Olympic skating champion Brian Boitano

British Prime Minister David Cameron has also now confirmed his non-attendance, with a spokesman adding that British leaders "did not usually go to the event", and that Cameron's schedule meant it was "not possible".

Along with Miller and Sports, Tourism and Equality Minister Helen Grant, the British delegation will be led by International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Princess Anne and British Olympic Association chairman Sebastian Coe.

Along with Maria Miller and Helen Grant, the British delegation willl include Seb Coe and Princess Anne ©Getty ImagesAlong with Maria Miller and Helen Grant, the British delegation will include Sebastian Coe and Princess Anne ©Getty Images




It is likely that Cameron's absence, along with British support for gay rights groups, will be taken as a snub by Russian leader Vladimir Putin following a frosty period in Anglo-Russian relations ever since the poisoning of former security officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006.

This is particularly because Britain is set to circumnavigate Russian laws banning the direct funding of action groups and protesters on the ground in Russia by foreign Governments, controversially introduced by Putin in 2012. 

Instead, support will be channelled through international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and this was something outlined by Miller.

"The most effective way we can support human rights groups, particularly gay rights groups, is by working with organisations like Stonewall, to support them through funding so they can provide effective support and capacity building on the ground, so NGOs in Russia can be even more effective in the future", she told the BBC. 

Miller also expressed hope that the IOC would take a "common sense" approach to athletes who use the platform of the Games to launch gay rights protests. 

This follows IOC president Thomas Bach explaining earlier this week that there would be freedom for competitors to make political points in press conferences, although this has since been questioned by Sochi 2014 head Dmitry Chernyshenko.