LONDON – Gay rights campaigners in Britain have accused Conservatives of tolerating prejudice after a party spokesman sympathised with people who offered guest accommodation in their homes but turned away gay couples.
The remarks by shadow home secretary Chris Grayling, just days before the expected start of an election campaign, threaten to undermine efforts by Conservative leader David Cameron to make the party appear more representative of British society.
Prime minister Gordon Brown is expected to announce on Tuesday that he is calling a general election for May 6th, with the Conservatives favourites to win.
The Observernewspaper said Mr Grayling made the comments, which were recorded, at a think tank last week.
“I think we need to allow people to have their own consciences,” he was quoted as saying, referring to cases of Christians refusing to accommodate gay couples.
“I personally . . . took the view that if it’s a question of somebody who is doing a bed and breakfast in their own home, that individual should have the right to decide who does and who doesn’t come into their own home.”
Last week, British newspapers said a gay couple had reported a Christian B&B owner to police for refusing to let them stay.
Under British equalities legislation, it is illegal to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation.
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights group Stonewall, told the Observerthat Mr Grayling's remarks would be "very alarming" to a lot of gay people who may have been thinking of voting Conservative.
“I don’t think anyone, including the Tories, wants to go back to the days where there is a sign outside saying ‘No gays, no blacks, no Irish’,” he added.
Mr Grayling said any suggestion he was opposed to gay rights was “wholly wrong”, and that he had voted in favour of legislation that prohibited B&B owners from discriminating against gay people.
“However, this is a difficult area, and on Wednesday, I made comments which reflected my view that we must be sensitive to the genuinely held principles of faith groups in this country,” he added. – (Reuters)