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Gregory Campbell
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Councillor Muir cutting the eventual cake complete with Bert and Ernie
The DUP's Gregory Campbell has challenged the Prime minister on the issue of equality after yesterday's row over a Newtownabbey bakery refusing to bake a cake emblazoned with a pro-gay message.
Newtownabbey-based Asher's bakery found itself at the centre of 'gay cake' row after refusing to bake a cake with a pro-gay marriage theme due to the company's Christian beliefs.
On Wednesday Gregory Campbell raised the issue with the Prime Minister, arguing that the bakery had the right to refuse to make the cake.
The East Londonderry MP said: "There have been a number of cases across the United Kingdom where so-called equality legislation has impeded the ability of people to uphold their religious beliefs.
"This latest case locally has seen a family-owned bakery threatened by legal action because they would not print a political slogan onto a cake. Such a message ran contrary to the company's Christian values."
He added: "It is disappointing that the prime minister would not comment on the need for religious freedom to be protected through the introduction of a conscience clause. "
"Tolerance needs to be a two-way street, but this case highlights that currently those who cannot support a particular political campaign may find themselves forced before the courts. That is totally unacceptable."
David Cameron responded: "I'm not aware of the specific case that the honourable gentleman raises... but I do think a commitment o0t equality, in terms of racial equality, in terms of equality to those of different sexes, equality in terms of people who have disabilities or indeed people with different sexualities - all of that is a very important part of being British."
The cake in question was due to be the centrepiece at an anti-homophobia event held by former Lord Mayor of North Down Andrew Muir.
But organisers of the event had to go to a different bakery after Asher's refused to make it.
Mr Muir said yesterday: "I fully support the action taken against this bakery. Businesses should not be able to pick and choose who they serve.
"There would not be any debate if the cake had depicted an anti-racism or anti-ageism slogan, nor should it require intervention from the Equality Commission for this cake for Anti-Homophobia Day."
A spokesperson for Asher's Baking Company, Daniel McArthur, yesterday defended the bakery's Christian beliefs.
He said: "We run our business according to Christian values and beliefs, according to what the Bible teaches. It means for example that we don’t open on Sundays, that we trade openly and honestly with people.”