Northern Ireland

Belfast hotel says sorry to pastor for halting event opposing same-sex marriage

The Balmoral Hotel in west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann
The Balmoral Hotel in west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann The Balmoral Hotel in west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

A HOTEL in west Belfast has apologised to a church minister for halting an event opposing same-sex marriage, an evangelical group has said.

Rev Harry Coulter last year booked a conference room at Balmoral Hotel for a 'Marriage Matters' event, but it was interrupted and stopped by staff following apparent complaints from other customers.

The pastor, from Carrickfergus Reformed Presbyterian Church, pursued legal action alleging discrimination and breach of contract.

The Christian Institute, which supported the case, said the hotel has since issued a formal apology in an out-of-court settlement.

It said the hotel also agreed to refund the £100 cost of the booking and pay legal costs.

In its apology to the minister, the hotel expressed "sincere regret" over the incident and acknowledged its handling was "embarrassing for you and inconvenient for your guests".

The hotel also pledged to retrain its staff to avoid a repeat of the incident.

Rev Coulter said he felt "humiliated" by the hotel's treatment of him and his 50 guests.

However, he accepted the apology and thanked the Christian Institute for its support, encouraging others to contact the organisation if they "face similar challenges to their religious liberty".

The event in October last year was among several 'Marriage Matters' events scheduled at hotels across the north.

Posters published online said the public meetings sought to "explain why marriage is between a man and a woman".

Same-sex marriage was legalised in Northern Ireland in January after landmark legislation passed through Westminster in Stormont's absence.

Campaigners had welcomed it as a "historic day for equality" in the north, which had been the only part of Ireland and Britain where same-sex marriage was outlawed.

Simon Calvert, deputy director for public affairs at the Christian Institute, welcomed the hotel's apology.

"This is an important reminder that you cannot kick people out of a hotel for supporting traditional marriage," he said.

"In the current climate of hypersensitivity over people's opinions, the successful outcome in this case is a welcome restatement of the high value of freedom of belief and freedom of expression for all."

The Balmoral Hotel, which is situated on Blacks Road, yesterday did not issue any additional comments.