US Supreme Court rules in favour of baker who refused to make same-sex wedding cake

However, the US Supreme Court’s ruling was narrow and focused on the way in which baker Jack Phillips was treated by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the New York Times reports.

Mr Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing the majority decision (agreed by 7-2) in the case, said the “neutral and respectful consideration to which Phillips was entitled was compromised here”.

He added: “The Civil Rights Commission’s treatment of his case has some elements of a clear and impermissible hostility toward the sincere religious beliefs that motivated his objection.”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing complainants David Mullins and Charlie Craig, said the Supreme Court had declined to overturn basic civil rights protections.

Deputy legal director Louise Melling said: “The court reversed the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision based on concerns unique to the case but reaffirmed its longstanding rule that states can prevent the harms of discrimination in the marketplace, including against LGBT people.”