Arson threat to US florist over marriage stance

A Christian florist in America has received a threat to burn down her shop because she does not agree with gay marriage.

Barronelle Stutzman, who owns a flower shop in Richland in the US state of Washington, has also been hit with hate mail.

The hatred was sparked when she declined to provide flowers for a long-standing customer’s gay wedding.

She took Robert Ingersoll, who she has known for nine years, by the hand and said: “I’m sorry I can’t do your wedding because of my relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Mr Ingersoll wrote about the incident on his Facebook page, and it went viral across the internet.

Mrs Stutzman has since received a torrent of abuse, including a threat to burn her building.

Lawyers claim that her refusal to provide flowers for a gay wedding is illegal, but the gay couple involved say they have not yet decided whether to sue.