Northern Ireland

Faith communities facing ‘chill factor' after Ashers ruling, Arlene Foster says

Three Court of Appeal judges in Belfast found that Ashers Bakery had discriminated against gay rights campaigner
Three Court of Appeal judges in Belfast found that Ashers Bakery had discriminated against gay rights campaigner Three Court of Appeal judges in Belfast found that Ashers Bakery had discriminated against gay rights campaigner

FAITH communities in Northern Ireland are experiencing a "chill factor" following the Ashers bakery judgment, First Minister Arlene Foster said.

Three Court of Appeal judges in Belfast found the company had discriminated against gay rights campaigner Gareth Lee on grounds of sexual orientation by refusing to make a cake with a message supporting same-sex marriage two years ago.

Arlene Foster challenged the Equality Commission to spell out what affirmative action it intended to take after the judges said the publicly-funded organisation which supported Mr Lee gave the impression it was not interested in assisting religious congregations.

The DUP leader said: "I think it is incumbent upon the Equality Commission to indicate to the executive how they intend to remedy what has been pointed out to them by the court and what affirmative action they intend to take in terms of the faith communities, because there is certainly a chill factor there in terms of the faith communities and that is something that is communicated to me on a weekly basis and it is something that they have to take notice of."

Ashers has six shops in the greater Belfast area.

Senior judges threw out an appeal against the ruling that the family-owned bakery's refusal to make a cake endorsing same-sex marriage was discriminatory.

Ashers declined to make the product iced with the slogan 'Support Gay Marriage' as it conflicted with the owners' Christian beliefs.

Mr Lee, a member of the LGBT group Queer Space, was supported by the Equality Commission in his case against the bakery.

Mrs Foster told the assembly that the commission had run up legal bills of more than £100,000, which it is seeking to recoup after winning its case.

She said: "I have to ask the question: where is the balance in terms of dealing with the faith communities here in Northern Ireland?

"It is something I will be asking the Equality Commission to directly comment on and to give me some feedback on.

The chief commissioner of the Equality Commission, Michael Wardlow, said equality laws are there to protect everyone and, as an independent public body, the commission has an important role in ensuring effective application of the laws.

"Our door is open to anyone who needs our assistance, including members of the faith communities.

"The commission has a proactive programme of regular meetings with their representatives, including, over recent months, representatives of all the main Christian churches.

"We find we have many issues of common interest, including a concern for those who face inequality and discrimination."