Protesters claim St Neots pastor made anti-gay remarks
The protest outside the Cornerstone Cafe in St Neots on Saturday. - Credit: Archant
Protesters gathered outside a St Neots café on Saturday demanding an apology from the owner, pastor Paul Shinners, who is accused of making anti-gay remarks more than two years ago.
Daniel Law, who organised the protest, claims Mr Shinners travelled to Uganda in 2012 and participated in an anti-gay Christian rally where people were calling for sanctions, including the death penalty, against gay people.
Mr Law and 30 human rights activists stood outside the Cornerstone Café on Cambridge Street with placards calling for Mr Shinners to apologise for his remarks.
Mr Shinners yesterday (Tuesday) said his remarks had been taken completely out of context and the matter was now in the hands of the police.
“I believe these people are just using me to advance their own publicity, and as some of the things that have appeared on social media are so offensive and damaging I have contacted the police,” he said.
“The remarks attributed to me are part of a 53-minute video and I would urge anyone who has concerns to watch the video which is available on You Tube. The video clearly shows me preaching from the Bible about fairness and treating people with respect.”
Mr Law is making a documentary film about homophobia in Uganda and is raising funds to travel there in the future.
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Mr Shinners has previously asked for an apology from the protesters, but said essentially he wanted to see an end to the matter and move on.
Saturday’s protest is the latest move in a campaign against Mr Shinners that has included an online petition aimed at trying to remove his charity’s charitable status.