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Written by Administrator
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A gay couple who were turned away by a Christian bed and breakfast owner because it was 'against her convictions' to let them share a double bed are suing her for damages.
Michael Black and John Morgan have brought in human rights organisation Liberty to help take legal action against Susanne Wilkinson.
Mrs Wilkinson, who runs a B&B in the Berkshire village of Cookham, was informed of the decision yesterday.
The start of legal proceedings comes two months after Mr Black, 62, and Mr Morgan, 56, reported Mrs Wilkinson to police for refusing them a room.
They said she was breaching discrimination laws and that they were horrified by the former air hostess's 'outdated and abhorrent views'.
But Mrs Wilkinson and her husband Francis, a former city worker, insisted they were simply living according to their values and Christian beliefs.
Mrs Wilkinson said she would have offered the couple two single rooms, but the guest house was fully booked.
Last night her husband said: 'Ours is a faith position and hasn't changed. This response seems completely disproportionate-We feel the law is wrong and needs to be amended.'
But James Welch, legal director of Liberty, said: 'Liberty defends the rights of religious groups to preach their beliefs, even when we disagree with them, but not to discriminate in the provision of goods and services.'
The Wilkinsons have been helped by the Christian Institute pressure group.
Spokesman Simon Calvert said: 'This comes down to the rights of a gay couple to have a holiday where they choose against the right of a Christian couple to act in accordance with their conscience.'
By Beth Hale
dailymail.co.uk
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