Pensioners demand right to be anti gay

By Marc Shoffman • March 6, 2006 - 0:00

pensioner Joe Roberts, 73 and his wife Helen, 68, are demanding £10,000 compensation for being denied the rights to freedom of expression and to hold religious beliefs

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Two Christian pensioners are planning to sue their local police and council claiming they have the right to be anti gay.

The retired couple faced a police investigation for "potentially homophobic" comments in December after objecting to Wyre Borough Council's stance on gay issues.

Devout Christians, Joe Roberts 73, and his wife Helen, 68, of Fleetwood, Lancashire, wrote to the Council accusing them of "pandering" to minority groups. They said they felt discriminated against.

Wyre Borough Council felt some of the wording in the letter of complaint was inappropriate and decided to consult with the police. They were questioned but officers decided no crime had been committed. The policemen who interviewed the couple told them their request had been close to a 'hate crime.'

Now pensioner Joe Roberts, 73 and his wife Helen, 68, are demanding £10,000 compensation for being denied the rights to freedom of expression and to hold religious beliefs.

Mr Roberts said: "I told the police we had no objection to gay people, but that homosexual practice was wrong. They told me my views were very strong. I said I had nothing against gays personally but I would go on a demonstration against gay rights."

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