Stonewall acting Chief Executive has announced that the charity will no longer use the hotel owned by the Sultan of Brunei.
The UK’s largest LGB charity, Stonewall, was criticised heavily last week after its acting CEO Ruth Hunt said it would not back the boycott on The Dorchester Collection group of hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah.
The Sultan of Brunei, has confirmed that he will continue his adoption of a Sharia criminal code in his country.
This law carries harsh penalties for adultery and sodomy – which could includes death by stoning for homosexuals.
SHARIA WHAT DOES IT MEAN:
Islam’s legal system, derived from the Koran
Informs every aspect of Muslims’ lives
Islamic jurists issue formal guidance through fatwas, or religious edicts
Sharia law includes provisions for capital and corporal punishment but modern scholars say getting to that stage can be difficult
Marriage is treated as a contract in Islam
From The BBC
Writing for Pinknews, Hunt said,
‘I can confirm that we will not be using the Dorchester for our future events. We simply do not need this distraction from the vital work of promoting respect for the human rights of LGBT people the world over,” she writes.
Ms. Hunt also apologised on behalf Stonewall, writing:
‘We’re sorry that we didn’t anticipate the strength of feeling in the LGBT community, and beyond, and take longer to talk to you about our position and ask what you think. That was a mistake on our part.’
The boycott on the group, is backed by several high profile people including Ellen DeGeneres, Jay Leno and Richard Branson. The collection includes locations such as London’s The Dorchester and Los Angeles’ The Beverly Hill’s
