Liberty - Protecting civil liberties, promoting human rights

Slough County Court originally upheld the couple’s claims in October last year, but the bed and breakfast owner appealed. Today the Court of Appeal agreed that the owner did discriminate against Mr Black and Mr Morgan by refusing them a double room when they arrived. Despite their reservation and a fully-paid deposit – and Mr Black’s objections – the owner told the couple she could not provide them with a room because it was “against her convictions”. 

The Court of Appeal ruled that the owner’s actions were unlawful. She had made it clear that she would not accommodate the couple because she did not like the idea of two men sharing a bed.    

James Welch, Legal Director of Liberty, said:

“Hopefully today’s ruling will mark the end of out-of-date ‘no gays’ policies which are as intolerable as those referring to a person’s race, gender or religion.

“Of course Liberty fiercely protects people’s right to hold and express their religious beliefs. But refusing to accommodate customers simply because they’re gay is unacceptable and our clients should never have faced such discrimination.”

Contact: Liberty Press Office on 0207 378 3656 or 07973 831128

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.  The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 made it unlawful for service providers to discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation. These regulations have now been replaced – and effectively re-enacted by – the Equality Act 2010.

2. Liberty clients Mr Black and Mr Morgan are bringing their claim with the assistance of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.