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Nick Griffin's tweets about gay couple in B&B case investigated | Nick Griffin's tweets about gay couple in B&B case investigated |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Comments on BNP leader Nick Griffin's Twitter account about a gay couple at the centre of a landmark legal case are being examined by police. | Comments on BNP leader Nick Griffin's Twitter account about a gay couple at the centre of a landmark legal case are being examined by police. |
The Brampton address of Michael Black and John Morgan, who won a ruling that they had been discriminated against by a B&B owner, was seemingly published. | The Brampton address of Michael Black and John Morgan, who won a ruling that they had been discriminated against by a B&B owner, was seemingly published. |
The tweets on the MEP's account - now suspended - also appeared to call for a demonstration outside. | |
Cambridgeshire Police is looking into complaints about the tweets. | Cambridgeshire Police is looking into complaints about the tweets. |
Mr Black and Mr Morgan went to court after they were refused a double room at Swiss Bed and Breakfast, in Berkshire, by its owner. | Mr Black and Mr Morgan went to court after they were refused a double room at Swiss Bed and Breakfast, in Berkshire, by its owner. |
'Bit of drama' | 'Bit of drama' |
Among the tweets on the @nickgriffinmep account were two which read: "So Messrs Black & Morgan, at [their address]. A British Justice team will come up to Huntington & give you a... | Among the tweets on the @nickgriffinmep account were two which read: "So Messrs Black & Morgan, at [their address]. A British Justice team will come up to Huntington & give you a... |
"...bit of drama by way of reminding you that an English couple's home is their castle. Say No to heterophobia!" | "...bit of drama by way of reminding you that an English couple's home is their castle. Say No to heterophobia!" |
An earlier tweet on the North West region MEP's account had asked for the couple's address and then said: "We'll hold demo... for rights of all home owners, gays included, to rent or not rent rooms to whomsoever they wish." | An earlier tweet on the North West region MEP's account had asked for the couple's address and then said: "We'll hold demo... for rights of all home owners, gays included, to rent or not rent rooms to whomsoever they wish." |
Twitter users trying to access the account on the micro-blogging site were subsequently told it had been suspended. It is not clear who made that request. | Twitter users trying to access the account on the micro-blogging site were subsequently told it had been suspended. It is not clear who made that request. |
A Cambridgeshire Police spokeswoman said: "We have received a number of calls in relation to the tweets and are looking into the complaints we have received. | A Cambridgeshire Police spokeswoman said: "We have received a number of calls in relation to the tweets and are looking into the complaints we have received. |
"Officers will also visit the men mentioned in the tweets as part of our inquiries." | "Officers will also visit the men mentioned in the tweets as part of our inquiries." |
One of the tweets had included a home address, she added. | One of the tweets had included a home address, she added. |
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said police should take action against Mr Griffin. | Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said police should take action against Mr Griffin. |
On Thursday Mr Black, 64, and Mr Morgan, 59, were awarded £1,800 each at Reading County Court for "injury to feelings" after they had booked a double room at Swiss B&B via email. | On Thursday Mr Black, 64, and Mr Morgan, 59, were awarded £1,800 each at Reading County Court for "injury to feelings" after they had booked a double room at Swiss B&B via email. |
When they arrived in March 2010, owner Susanne Wilkinson, who is a Christian, would not let them stay in a room with a double bed. | When they arrived in March 2010, owner Susanne Wilkinson, who is a Christian, would not let them stay in a room with a double bed. |
Recorder Claire Moulder said that by refusing the couple access to a double room, Mrs Wilkinson had "treated them less favourably than she would treat unmarried heterosexual couples in the same circumstances". | Recorder Claire Moulder said that by refusing the couple access to a double room, Mrs Wilkinson had "treated them less favourably than she would treat unmarried heterosexual couples in the same circumstances". |
'Simply unacceptable' | 'Simply unacceptable' |
However, the recorded accepted that Mrs Wilkinson was genuine about her Christian beliefs and had also stopped unmarried heterosexual couples from sharing a double bed. | However, the recorded accepted that Mrs Wilkinson was genuine about her Christian beliefs and had also stopped unmarried heterosexual couples from sharing a double bed. |
The Christian Institute has backed Mrs Wilkinson's case. | The Christian Institute has backed Mrs Wilkinson's case. |
Mrs Wilkinson was granted permission to appeal against the ruling and said she would give it "serious consideration". | Mrs Wilkinson was granted permission to appeal against the ruling and said she would give it "serious consideration". |
James Welch, from civil rights group Liberty which took up the men's case, said: "It is simply unacceptable for people running a business to refuse to provide a service because of someone's sexual orientation." | James Welch, from civil rights group Liberty which took up the men's case, said: "It is simply unacceptable for people running a business to refuse to provide a service because of someone's sexual orientation." |
It comes as a similar case in Cornwall awaits a Supreme Court hearing. | It comes as a similar case in Cornwall awaits a Supreme Court hearing. |
Peter and Hazelmary Bull, the Christian owners of a guesthouse in Marazion, who also turned away a gay couple, have won permission to appeal against their ruling. | Peter and Hazelmary Bull, the Christian owners of a guesthouse in Marazion, who also turned away a gay couple, have won permission to appeal against their ruling. |