Summary
In 2005 a Christian couple were interrogated by police because they complained about their local council's 'gay rights' policy. The police said they were responding to a reported 'homophobic incident'. The police later admitted that no crime had been committed and the police and council issued a public apology.
A retired Christian couple were subjected to an 80-minute interrogation by police after the couple made a polite complaint to their local council about its 'gay rights' policies, which included making pro-homosexual literature available in public buildings. Joe and Helen Roberts, of Fleetwood in Lancashire, asked if Christian literature could be provided next to gay rights brochures, but were told no, because it may offend homosexuals. Some days later, Mr Roberts was stunned to be visited by two police officers from Lancashire Constabulary who quizzed him and his 68-year-old wife, Helen, for over an hour about their beliefs on homosexuality. The police told the Roberts they were responding to a reported 'homophobic incident'. The police said the couple were close to committing a 'hate crime' and were 'walking on eggshells'.1 A spokesman for Wyre Borough Council said they reported the couple to the police with the intention of challenging their attitudes and educating them.2
There is no law against expressing the view that homosexual practice is morally wrong. The Roberts lodged formal complaints with the police and the Council, but both refused to admit they acted wrongly. The Roberts did not accept their explanations. In 2006 the couple began a legal action against the police and the Council for, among other things, breaching the couple's right to free expression and right to freedom of religion. The Christian Institute supported their legal action.
In December 2006, in an out-of-court settlement, the Police and the Council both admitted they were wrong in how they responded to the Roberts' complaint. The Police and the Council agreed to pay legal costs and also made a compensation payment to the Roberts. The Police admitted they should have investigated the matter more fully before deciding to send two police officers to the Roberts' home and admitted that if they had made further enquiries, it is likely they would have decided not to send the officers. The Police also said they have revised their policy specifically to avoid episodes similar to the Roberts' case happening in the future.
Joint statement about the settlement
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