B&B refuse gay couple, police investigate

(Picture: BBC)

As a prime example of discrimination at work in modern day Britain, a gay couple visiting friends were turned away from a Berkshire Bed & Breakfast on the grounds of their sexual orientation, it emerged today.

Michael Black, 62 and John Morgan, 56 from Cambridgeshire, were refused a double bed at The Swiss B&B in Cookham, as police investigate what gay campaigner Stonewall has called 'an open-and-shut discrimination case'

The proprieter of the B&B Susanne Wilkinson admitted to the BBC that it was against her policy to accommadote same sex couples - a policy that breaches the Equality Act of 2006.

It is illegal for a business to refuse goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation, gender or race, and this case is no exception.

Mrs Wilkinson told the BBC:

"I don't see why I should change my mind and my beliefs I've held for years just because the government should force it on me.

"I am not a hotel, I am a guest house and this is a private house."

Mr Black has said that he was surprised at being turned away, having not experienced homophobia himself since coming out in 1974.

"This was the first time either of us had experienced homophobia at first hand, despite being aged 56 and 62. We were shocked and embarrassed.

"Mrs Wilkinson saw us both before we got out of the car and immediately acted in an unwelcoming, cold way, but my boyfriend and I were polite and friendly.

"She said if we'd told her in advance she would have told us not to come."

Thames Valley Police are looking into the incident.


This example is a real indication that discrimination is at work in Britain today. It is situations like this that highlight the importance of workable legislation that is committed to advancing the interests of all groups in society, and protecting them from bigatory, discriminatory and humiliating behaviour.