Scottish Catholic Observer

The Christian bed and breakfast owners—who were yesterday ordered to pay damages to a homosexual couple they refused a double room to—have spoken out after Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party, posted the homosexual couple’s address on the internet and appeared to urge his supporters to demonstrate outside their home.

Susanne Wilkinson and her husband Mike said they would like to ‘express our sympathy with the homosexual couple Michael Black and John Morgan.’

“We know how it feels to have your address publicised and to receive constant threats, unpleasant statements and misunderstanding,” they said in a statement.

“Our Christian faith centres on the amazing and undeserved love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ for all mankind.

“Although Michael and John have chosen to take us to court we bear them no malice. On the contrary we pray for them and for their protection.”

Mike Judge, a spokesman for the Christian Institute, which funded Mrs Wilkinson’s legal defence, described Mr Griffin’s behaviour as ‘despicable and nasty.’

“Michael Black, John Morgan and Susanne Wilkinson have a genuine disagreement about the B&B case, but they have always been polite and reasonable in their differences,” he said. “That is how a proper lawful debate should be conducted. Susanne was herself targeted by a hate campaign, which included threats to burn her house down. She had police patrols protecting her for several months.

“She knows what it is like to feel threatened and I am sure her heart goes out to Michael and John. Which ever side of the debate people are on, there is no need for this kind of behaviour.

“All it has done is shift the focus away from the important debate about equality and civil liberty—a debate which our country needs and one which ought to be conducted in a respectful and civilised manner.”

After appealing for supporters to provide him with the couple’s address on Twitter yesterday, Mr Griffin (above) published the address in full before saying a ‘British Justice team’ would arrive there to provide ‘a bit of drama by way of reminding you that an English couple’s home is their castle.’

He defended his actions today, saying he believes in ‘peaceful direct action.’

Mrs Wilkinson was yesterday ordered to pay Mr Black and Mr Morgan more than £3000 in compensation under equality legislation.

She told the court, however, that she was serious about her Christian beliefs and had also stopped unmarried heterosexual couples from sharing a double bed.

Mrs Wilkinson said people should be ‘free to act upon their sincere beliefs’ and is reported to be considering an appeal.