Christians allowed to appeal over gay ban

Earlier this year Court of Appeal judges dismissed a challenge brought by Peter and Hazelmary Bull, who run Chymorvah House in Marazion, Cornwall, against a ruling they breached equality legislation when they turned away Martyn Hall and his civil partner Steven Preddy in September 2008.

The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, has now decided to hear their case.

The appeal court upheld the finding of Judge Andrew Rutherford at Bristol County Court in January last year that the Bulls had directly discriminated against the couple – who were awarded a total of £3,600 damages.

Mr Bull, 72, and Mrs Bull, who is in her late 60s, regard any sex outside marriage as a “sin” and denied either direct or indirect discrimination.

They argued their policy of restricting double beds to married couples, in accordance with their beliefs, was not directed to sexual orientation, but sexual practice.

Dismissing their appeal last February, Sir Andrew Morritt, Chancellor of the High Court, sitting in London with Lord Justice Hooper and Lady Justice Rafferty, said the restriction was “absolute” in relation to homosexuals but not in the case of heterosexuals.

Lady Justice Rafferty said a homosexual couple “cannot comply with the restriction because each party is of the same sex and therefore cannot marry”.