Harris Celebrates Gay Equality Law Ruling

6.10.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Sep 2007

Commenting on the High Court ruling today that the Sexual Orientation Regulations in Northern Ireland banning discrimination in the provision of goods and services to gays, lesbians and bisexuals are lawful with the exception of the harassment provisions, Dr Evan Harris MP, Liberal Democrat member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, who campaigned for the regulations but opposed the harassment provisions, said:

"It is good news that equal treatment for gay people has been upheld but the quashing of the harassment laws is a justified slap in the face for the government which failed to properly consult and was far too blasé about the free speech implications."

Dr Harris, President of the Liberal Democrat Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Equality, added:

"Most blatant cases of harassment in schools will be unlawful under discrimination laws anyway."