Bakers were not being forced to do anything against their beliefs, court hears

The Christian owners of a bakery who refused to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage message were not being forced to do anything against their beliefs, an Equality Commission lawyer has said.

Robin Allen QC said many businesses printed messages they did not associate with, citing the example of posters made by candidates fighting last week's Assembly election, and said the Ashers Baking Company in Belfast could decide whether or not to include its logo on its products.