Northern Ireland

Appeal against `gay cake' ruling to be heard next year

Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company
Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company

A Christian-run bakery's appeal against being found to have discriminated against a gay customer is to be heard next year.

Senior judges in Belfast listed Ashers' challenge to the ruling for a two-day hearing due to start on February 3.

The company wants to overturn a verdict reached over its refusal to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan.

Earlier this year Belfast County Court held that Ashers discriminated against customer Gareth Lee on grounds of sexual orientation and political beliefs.

The firm, run by the McArthur family, was ordered to pay £500 in damages to the gay rights activist.

Backed by the Equality Commission, Mr Lee sued the bakery after it refused an order placed at its Belfast city centre shop in May 2014.

He was seeking a cake depicting Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie below the motto 'Support Gay Marriage' for an event to mark International Day Against Homophobia.

Bosses refunded his money because the message went against their Christian faith.

During the original trial, Ashers' representatives insisted the problem was the cake, not the customer.

But Mr Lee claimed he was left feeling like a lesser person when his order was turned down.

Although the County Court judge accepted Ashers was entitled to have "genuine and deeply held" religious views, she said the business was not above the law.

Now, however, her ruling is to be examined by the Court of Appeal.

It will determine whether the judge was correct in law to hold that Ashers discriminated against Mr Lee on grounds of sexual orientation and religious belief or political opinion.

Lawyers for the McArthurs are also expected to argue that they had protection under the European Convention on Human Rights.