Gay B&B couple were discriminated against, court rules
A gay couple who were turned away from a bed and breakfast were discriminated against, it has been ruled.
Michael Black, 64, and John Morgan, 59, booked a double room at the Swiss bed and breakfast in Berkshire by email but owner Susanne Wilkinson would not let them stay in a room with a double bed when they arrived in March 2010.
The couple, from Brampton near Huntingdon, were each awarded £1,800 at Reading County Court for "injury to feelings", according to the BBC.
Recorder Claire Moulder said that by refusing the couple access to a double room, Mrs Wilkinson had "treated them less favourably than she would treat unmarried heterosexual couples in the same circumstances".
Reacting to the ruling, Wilkinson, a devout Christian who had also prevented unmarried heterosexual couples from sleeping in a double bed, said: "Naturally, my husband and I are disappointed to have lost the case and to have been ordered to pay £3,600 in damages for injury to feelings.
"We believe a person should be free to act upon their sincere beliefs about marriage under their own roof without living in fear of the law. Equality laws have gone too far when they start to intrude into a family home."
By Caterer staff
E-mail your comments to Caterer News here.
Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
