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Friday 23 December 2005
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Couple quizzed by police for An elderly couple have been interrogated by the police for over an hour because they complained to the council about its gay rights policies. They asked the council if they could display Christian leaflets alongside gay rights leaflets. 73-year-old Joe Roberts and his wife Helen, 68, were shocked to be visited by two policemen accusing them of making "homophobic telephone calls". Mr and Mrs Roberts had complained to Wyre Borough Council after reading an article in their local newspaper saying the council was set to introduce wide-ranging gay rights policies. Mr Roberts complained to the Council saying that he did not agree with their promotion of homosexuality. When told that it was part of the Council's diversity policy, Mr Roberts asked - in that case - if Christianity could be promoted in the same way. This was refused on the grounds that it would cause offence to the gay community. Mr Roberts told council representatives that he was offended by the promotion of homosexuality. The telephone conversation lasted no more than 10 minutes. Following this complaint, two police officers were sent to quiz Mr and Mrs Roberts for over an hour about the incident. The officers told the couple their actions were close to 'a hate crime' and warned them they were walking on eggshells. Mr and Mrs Roberts were left with the impression that repeating their complaints could lead to them being charged with an offence. Mr and Mrs Roberts have taken legal advise and have been told there appears to have been a clear breach of Article 9 (freedom of religion) and Article 10 (freedom of speech) of the European Convention on Human Rights. Mr and Mrs Roberts have today lodged formal complaints to the Council and the police. In the complaints the couple ask either for an apology or for an explanation of what legal grounds justified their actions. Speaking today, Colin Hart (Director of The Christian Institute) said: "It is alarming that the police should be sent to interrogate an ordinary couple because they complained to their local council about gay rights. What business is it of the police to question people's opinions? A visit from the police must be a very intimidating experience. I fear that gay rights supporters want to use the law to silence their critics. I thought we lived in a free country. If Wyre Borough Council thinks that disagreeing with homosexual practice is a crime, then they are calling Christians, Jews and Muslims criminals. The Police and the Council are way out of line - they back diversity only for those who agree with gay rights. It seems that there is a growing intolerance of people who hold traditional views of marriage and the family."
The
Christian Institute, Registered Charity No 100 4774 seeks to promote
the Christian faith in the UK |
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