Miranda Live: Bernard Gaynor says PC activists have almost ‘ruined me financially’

A FORMER Army officer who was sacked by the Defence Force for anti-gay comments says he has been forced to sell his house and is almost financially ruined due to ongoing legal action from PC activists.

2 min read

August 20, 2018 - 5:25PM

Nazi flag flown on ADF vehicle 'completely unacceptable': Turnbull

A FORMER Army officer who was sacked over his criticism of the ADF’s participation in a mardi gras parade says “vexatious” legal action from PC activists is ruining him financially.

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Bernard Gaynor served three tours of the Middle East. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Bernard Gaynor has been embroiled in a legal battle with the Defence Force since his 2013 dismissal and told Miranda Live he has also been hit with dozens of anti-discrimination cases by activists.

MORE: ADF’S PLAN TO OPEN COMBAT TO WOMEN A ‘FAILURE’

“Since 2014 I have been subject to about 70 legal matters that have been launched against me as a result of my traditional and conservative views on marriage, family and morality,” he said.

MORE: GENDER DIVERSITY HAS NO PLACE IN THE ARMY

The Catholic father-of-eight said the process of dealing with anti-discrimination claims is punishment in itself, “The entire system is a gravy train for political activists that know that even if their complaints are not successful, it will still financially ruin the defendants”.

The conservative Catholic says he’s been forced to sell his house due to the burden of court costs. Picture: Ric Frearson

“I’ve been able to win three cases, that’s not a great comfort when we’ve had to sell our home. We’ve almost been ruined financially, the cost is over $250,000 in legal fees now”.

“It has been a very difficult four years,” he told Miranda Live host Miranda Devine.

“It’s had a tremendous impact on myself, my wife and our eight children.”

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