Council of Devon Revokes Civil Ceremonies License of Christian Earl Due to Refusal to Host Gay Ceremonies

Country: United Kingdom

Date of incident: February 7, 2008


As a result of refusing by the Earl of Devon to allow a homosexual couple to hold a civil partnership ceremony, the local Council revoked the licence for hosting all civil ceremonies in the Castle. The Earl of Devon is a devout Christian, who lives with his family in the event location at stake in Powderham Castle.

The Council wrote to the Earl stating that “your refusal to accept civil partnership ceremonies amounts to discrimination and this leaves the county council with no option but to revoke the licence for the castle.” The lost revenue equated to around £200,000 per year and as a result, the Earl is forced to sell off family items to make up the deficit.
Source:
The Daily Telegraph, 2 July 2008.