MP calls for protection of anti-gay Christian bakery against ‘oppressive’ Equality Commission

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Another MP has waded into say that a bakery which refused to make a cake with the message “support gay marriage” must be protected against the “oppressive” Equality Commission.

Asher’s Baking Company, a Christian-owned bakery in Northern Ireland, refused the request of a gay rights activist for a cake showing the message ‘Support Gay Marriage’, above an image of Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie.

The Equality Commission has since stated that this act broke anti-discrimination laws.

DUP MP William McCrea has now called for the local community to jump to the defence of Asher’s Bakery, reports the Larne Times.

The South Antrim MP said: “Sadly the Equality Commission has entered into the fray and threatens this family bakery with legal action because of their Christian belief.

“The reality is that the Equality Commission is acting in an oppressive manner and threatens the right to religious freedom in our province.”

He continued: “Recently the media presented itself as the defenders of the rights of those who practised the Muslim faith yet little defence or protection has been granted to those of the Christian faith.”

Saying that he “commends” the bakery for “their Christian stand”, McCrea went on: “My colleagues and I at Westminster will do all we can to gain protection for those who cherish religious freedom by endeavouring to press the Government to introduce a conscience clause within legislation”.

In defending the bakery’s refusal to provide the cake, a manager compared supporting same-sex marriage with making a cake with pornographic images on it.
In the first question during yesterday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, David Cameron was called on to respond to the case.

In defending the bakery’s refusal to provide the cake, a manager compared supporting same-sex marriage with making a cake with pornographic images on it.

McCrea is not the first to defend the bakery, former MP Ann Widdecombe is supporting the owners of the Belfast bakery.

In the first question during yesterday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, David Cameron was called on to respond to the case .Ulster Unionist MP Gregory Campbel