Ann Widdecombe: Cross

This supposedly neutral organisation has sacked a man who has worked for 20 years as a volunteer just because he opposes gay marriage. Bryan Barkley stood outside Wakefield Cathedral with a banner saying "No redefinition of marriage". He did not mention the Red Cross nor did its name appear in any reports of the protest.

One can conclude only that this charity polices private views in much the same way that Trafford Housing did in the infamous Adrian Smith case (sacked by the Trust for opposing gay marriage).

Let us be clear: the issue here is not whether one supports gay marriage or not but whether one should be free to state a position...

What has happened to the freedom of expression we all once took for granted and when did it become acceptable for employers and charities to censor the views of individuals when pronounced outside the workplace or organisation?

Ann Widdecombe's Daily Express column.

The confirmed spinster is quite right - mad as a brush though he may be - he shouldn't have been dismissed for having an opinion on this.

Edit: There may be more to this than his one-man demo.