Christian guesthouse owners seek justice in Europe rather than UK
Two Christian guesthouse owners who have been accused of discriminating against same-sex couples by offering double rooms to married people only, are appealing directly to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
No prospect
Jeff and Sue Green from Powys in Wales, believe they have no prospect of success in the British court system to allow them to conduct their business in line with their Christian conscience, because of a recent Supreme Court ruling against Christian bed and breakfast owners.
The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) challenged the Greens over their policy to provide double rooms to married couples only, having viewed the website for the guesthouse in Llandrindod Wells in Mid Wales. In its letter to the Greens, the EHRC claimed it had received a complaint about the guesthouse and warned them it was unlawful to discriminate on grounds of “'sexual orientation”.
It dropped the case after the Greens changed their policy to no longer provide a double bed in any room but offer twin rooms with separate single beds.
"Undermine Christian values"
However, the couple are seeking a hearing at the European Court because of the serious, long-term implications for Christians in the public sphere and because Jeff believes “recent UK equality legislation seems to be being used to undermine Christian faith and values”.
Lawyers for the Greens will present arguments to the Strasbourg court that Christians should have protection in law to reflect their ethical beliefs in the running of a guest house which is also their home.
Jeff Green, who is Mayor of Llandrindod Wells, explains, “We believe that the rights outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights are an illusion in the UK, so we have to go to Europe because we don’t have a fighting chance in the UK courts.”
"No evidence"
Sue Green adds: “We have no recollection of ever refusing accommodation to same-sex couples and the EHRC gives no evidence of a complaint in its letter. We have asked the EHRC to identify their evidence and source of complaint. It would be a matter of deep concern if a public authority is simply scanning websites with the intention of confronting Christian businesses which want to conduct their activities in line with their beliefs.”
The Christian Legal Centre (CLC) is representing Jeff and Sue and is applying directly to the European Court on the basis that it cannot argue their case with any prospect of success in a British court. British courts are bound by the Supreme Court decision in November 2013 (Bull v Preedy) which dismissed the right of a Christian guesthouse owner to refuse to honour a homosexual couple’s booking of a double room.
"Disappointing"
Andrea Williams, CEO of the CLC, says:
“This case is about people’s freedom to live in line with their Christian faith and conscience in the public space. It is disappointing that our Courts do not recognise this and this is why we are taking the case to Europe where we hope to secure justice. It is ironic that the Court in Strasbourg seems to understand the nature of Christian faith better than our own courts.
“Debate over sexual morality has been allowed to become a battlefield and we are concerned about the attempt to clamp down and even exclude Christian beliefs on the issue from public life.
“In this case, no evidence has been presented to show that anyone has been denied a service from the Greens. It is disturbing that the couple have been forced to change their business model, have been targeted, and now face oppression from the State to deny how they live out their faith.
“At the Christian Legal Centre we have many cases in which Christians have lost jobs, faced discipline or been denied services. When will the State champion their cause?”
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