The Christian B&B owners who broke equality laws by refusing
to let a gay couple share a room are considering taking their case
to the Supreme Court, it has emerged.
Peter and Hazelmary Bull, who run the Chymorvah Private Hotel in
Marazion, Cornwall, made headlines when they refused to accommodate
gay couple Martyn Hall and his civil partner Steven Preddy in
September 2008.
In January 2011, Judge Andrew Rutherford at Bristol County Court
ruled that - under new equality legislation - that the pair had
acted unlawfully and ordered them to pay a total of £3,600
damages.
The ruling was upheld in February, following a second
hearing.
But now, the couple are considering taking their legal fight
against rulings of discrimination to the Supreme Court
(pictured).
The Christian Institute said it was backing Mr and Mrs Bull's
case.
"I feel that the law has gone too far. Certainly Pete and I are
ready to see if we can achieve some sort of result whereby two
lifestyles can live alongside each other," she told the BBC.
"We need to apply for leave to appeal, because that wasn't given
at the last court hearing. If we get it we could take it to the
Supreme Court. If we don't get leave to appeal then I understand we
would possibly take it to Brussels."
Mike Judge, from the Christian Institute, said: "I think this is
a leading case, and it may even go to the European Court of Human
Rights if we are not successful at the Supreme Court."
