A WEDDING venue has claimed it has received foul, abusive and threatening messages following claims by two men the owner refused to allow them to marry there.

 

Stephen and John Devaney, of Glasgow, have alleged they were turned away from Loch Lomond Waterfront at Balmaha after the owner told them they did not want "people like you here".

Yesterday the complex denied the owner, Suzanne Cottram, had made the comments and threatened legal action over the reports.

It said in a statement on its website: "Suzanne Cottram did not say the words attributed to her, nor would she do so because of her Christian faith and her belief in the dignity of all people.

"Due to the hysterical nature of the reporting, we have been inundated with foul, abusive and sometimes threatening messages.

"Suzanne has an independent witness who was present ....and can back up her version of events."

Tom French of Equality Network, which represents the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, said: "Scotland has very clear laws in place protecting people from discrimination. Whatever your personal views, if you choose to run a business in Scotland, such as a hotel or wedding venue, it must be open to all customers regardless of their sexual orientation."

Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland, said: "No business is allowed to withhold its services to people on the grounds of sexual orientation."