Russell George has dismissed calls to sever any link with a controversial pastor who has described homosexuality as “a sin”, saying that “just because you do business with someone it doesn’t mean you have to share all of their views”.

Mr George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, has been urged to cut ties with a pastor who referred to homosexuality as an “abomination”.

Yang Tuck Yoong, who runs the Cornerstone Community Church in Singapore, was reported to police in 2013 after claiming homosexuality was a “sin”.

He said that homosexuality is “far more rampant, militant and organised than most of us actually believe it to be” and called on the church to “rise up and take a stand”.

Mr George and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar are both trustees at the Evan Roberts Institute which has financial links with the controversial pastor’s church.

Mr George said: “I am a trustee of a small charity which seeks to promote Welsh Christian heritage.

“The charity purchased a small chapel which had links to Welsh revivalist Evan Roberts. The chapel was at risk of demolition so the charity purchased the property to protect it from this fate. Due to its dilapidated state the charity provided a 50 year lease of the property to a church based in Singapore in return for its restoration. The chapel has now been restored.

“Just because you do business with someone it doesn’t mean you have to share all of their views.

“None of the charity’s trustees condone homophobia or discrimination of any kind.

“The people quoted in the report didn’t check the factual position before making comments with the charity or myself.”

Welsh Labour AM Jeremy Miles has supported calls for Mr George and Mr Millar to sever their links with the pastor.