‘Hundreds’ of people have signed the MP-instigated petition in support of the Christian bakery that refused to make a pro-gay marriage cake. 

The petition against the Equality Commission’s decision to take legal action against Ashers Baking Company was launched by MPs William McCrea, Nigel Dodds and Sammy Wilson. It has received support from ‘hundreds’ of local people as well as those in other reaches of the UK, according to local paper the Newtonabbey Times.

The Christian Institute has also come out in support of the bakery.

Ashers was accused of “unlawful discrimination” for refusing to bake a cake bearing a pro-gay marriage slogan with Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie.

The petition states: “We, the undersigned, express our concern at the use of public funds by the Equality Commission to pursue a prosecution against Ashers Bakery because of their refusal to promote gay marriage. We note that Ashers Bakery are not guilty of discrimination, they have not refused to sell their products to anybody on the basis of their sexual orientation nor have discriminated in any other way.”

Members of the public wanting to sign the petition can do so by calling in to any of the local DUP Advice Centres.

The Equality Commission has reportedly been called before a Stormont committee to “explain the rationale behind its pursuit” of Ashers.