Can you really pick or choose who to serve as a public servant?

The decision by a tribunal to rule that a marriage registrar was harassed for refusing to conduct same sex ceremonies has been hailed as a ‘victory for religious liberty.’

Where this is going to lead who knows (or maybe God does?)… will a nurse who is a Jehovah Witness be permitted not to be involved in carrying out a blood transfusion on a patient?

Will a gay person working in the service industry be permitted not to serve heterosexual customers as it would offend his/her personal views.

Most professional people in a work environment put their personal views to one side when dealing with customers, clients, colleageues – very few of us are in the luxurious position to be able to pick or choose who we wish to work for or  with.

And certainly someone who is paid £31,000 by the taxpayer should not be allowed to pick or choose who they serve – they are servants of the public – gay or straight, black or white, Christian or Muslim.

I agree entirely with Peter Tatchell’s view and the views of the Green Party LGBT group that the decision by the tribunal is a victory for the right to discriminate.

Tatchell said: “Public servants like registrars have a duty to serve all members of the public without fear or favour. Once society lets some people opt out of upholding the law, where will it end?”

So religious rights trump gay rights… well I hope Islington Council do appeal and that this disastrous decision is overturned.