The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and Christian Concern have reached a settlement following the cancellation of Christian Concern’s conference on marriage at the Westminster conference centre.
The event, entitled 'One Man, One Woman - Making the case for marriage for the good of society' had been booked for 23 May 2012 but was cancelled by the QEII Centre the night before it was due to take place. Concerns over compatibility with the Centre's diversity policy were cited.
The conference had originally been booked at the Law Society but was cancelled by the Law Society shortly before it was due to take place, with the Society saying that the event was 'contrary to its diversity policy'.
Christian Concern took legal action against the Law Society. Settlement was reached with the Law Society in June 2013. A joint statement about that settlement can be read here.
A copy of the joint statement made by Christian Concern, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and the Department for Communities and Local Government follows.
Joint Public Statement
Resolution of dispute as to May 2012 marriage conference booking
Christian Concern, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre ("the Centre") and the Department for Communities and Local Government are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached in relation to the cancellation of Christian Concern's booking for a conference on marriage on 23 May 2012.
The Centre regrets that its decision to cancel the contract caused Christian Concern, as well as its invited speakers and delegates, disappointment and inconvenience.
The parties uphold the rights and freedoms of other members of society based on the principles of a democratic society.
The Centre accepts that some people have deeply held views about the nature of marriage, and that every individual has the freedom to express these in accordance with the law. The Centre also respects Christian Concern's view that marriage should be between a man and a woman, and that view is sincerely held.
We live in a multi-faith society with a deep Christian ethos. The Government reaffirms its commitment to the long-standing British liberties of freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of association with mutual respect for the dignity and rights and freedoms of others, including the right of Christian Concern to debate their views.
The Centre confirms that there was no intention to discriminate against Christian Concern. Going forward, the Centre is happy to work closely with Christian Concern to stage a future event about marriage or other issue of interest.