Tesco ‘reviewing’ Ashers Bakery discrimination ruling
Supermarket giant Tesco has said it is “reviewing” its relationship with Ashers Bakery, after the company was yesterday found guilty of discriminating against a man by refusing to make a “support gay marriage” cake.
The owners of Ashers Bakery in Belfast were yesterday found guilty of unlawful discrimination based on sexual orientation and political or religious grounds.
Last July, Ashers Baking Company – based in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland – refused the request of gay rights activist Gareth Lee for a cake showing the message ‘Support Gay Marriage’ above an image of Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie.
When Tesco was asked by a Twitter user whether it had any comment on the case, given that the store in some locations stocks Ashers products, the supermarket responded: “We are reviewing the judgement and will discuss it with Ashers.
“Tesco has a great track record of working with local suppliers, large and small, from across Northern Ireland.
“Our focus and our commitment is to serve customers in all communities, from all backgrounds and beliefs.”
Responding to another users later, Tesco tweeted that it has “no information regarding the delisting of Ashers products.”
Speaking to the media after the ruling, Daniel McArthur said the bakery would not close, and that despite the ruling, they did not consider that they had done anything wrong.
“We will not be closing down. We have not done anything wrong”, Mr McArthur said.
