Three MPs have launched a petition in support of the ‘gay cake row’ bakery that refused to bake a pro-gay marriage cake. 

Ashers Baking Company is being taken to court by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. However, the petition states that the company is not guilty of discrimination for refusing to make a pro-gay marriage campaign cake, featuring Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie. This followed an independent poll that found close to two-thirds of British adults disagree with the Equality Commission’s actions.

The petition was launched by three Democratic Unionist Party MPs: William McCrea, Nigel Dodds and Sammy Wilson.

It 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.”

McCrea, local South Antrim MP for the McArthurs, who run Ashers Bakery, also posted on his Facebook page, describing the body’s decision as “disgraceful”.

Papers were served on the McArthurs last week despite widespread opposition.

A YouGov survey of 2,022 adults in England, Scotland and Wales found that just 25% think the Commission is right to take the bakery to court, while 65% disagreed.

The Christian Institute is supporting the McArthur family’s legal case.