Ashers baker to appeal after being guilty of discrimination for refusing to make a cake in support of gay marriage

ASHERS bakery which is at the centre of a discrimination case over a so-called ‘gay cake’ has decided to appeal its conviction.

The Christian-run Co Antrim firm was ordered to pay £500 for refusing to make the ‘Bert and Ernie’ cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan on it.

Belfast County Court found that customer Gareth Lee had been discriminated against on the grounds of his sexual orientation.

His case was backed the Equality Commission who paid out nearly £39,000 in legal fees.

The McArthur family who run Ashers bakery confirmed today it planned to appeal the court’s decision.

“After much careful and prayerful consideration given to legal advice, we have decided to appeal the judgement handed down last Tuesday.

“We continue to insist that we have done nothing wrong as we have discriminated against no individual, but rather acted according to what the Bible teaches regarding marriage.

Last week Judge Isobel Brownlie said that, as a business, Ashers was not exempt from discrimination law.

The firm was found to have discriminated against Mr Lee on the grounds of sexual orientation as well as his political beliefs.

The judge said she accepted that Ashers has “genuine and deeply held” religious views, but said the business was not above the law.