The organisation representing British Jews says new government laws compelling it to promote homosexuality in the UK must not restrict Jewish community members’ “freedom of conscience and conviction” at the same time.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews says it hopes the Government Sexual Orientation Regulations, which are due to come into force in April, will respect community members’ right to freedom of conscience, as well as gay rights.

The rules, which are in line with European Union requirements, will punish businesses and organisations which discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation. Hotels which refuse to let double rooms to gay couples could, for example, be taken to court.

Religious groups - including the Board of Deputies as well as elements of the British Christian and Muslim communities - are concerned that the rules will force religious groups to promote homosexual rights and, if they refuse, could persecute them on moral grounds.

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