Verdict a victory for everyone’s human rights

Carla Lockhart MP • January 10, 2022

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the decision of the European Court announced last week in relation to the Asherscase is a victory for everyone who believes in human rights and freedom of speech and conscience.

Carla Lockhart said:


“Since 2014 this issue has been ongoing. That has been a testing time for the McArthur family, but at all times their faith and graciousness has shone through and they are to be commended for the stand they have taken. The Christian Institute and their legal teams are also to be commended for the support given to the family.


The decision by the European Court of Human Rights to unanimously throw out the appeal brought by lawyers on behalf of Gareth Lee is most welcome. The verdict of the UK Supreme Court stands, and as such the freedom of religious expression and speech is upheld for everyone. This protects people like the McArthurs, but it also protects every one of us from being forced to create something with a political slogan we fundamentally disagree with because of personal political or religious belief. 


All of us who value human rights will welcome this ruling. It enshrines religious freedom, but it also protects everyone’s freedom.”

Share

By Carla Lockhart MP July 24, 2025
DUP Agriculture spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP has welcomedan initiative offering free industry-accredited ATV training for farmers in GBand Northern Ireland.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 24, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart seized an opportunity in Parliament on Tuesday to speak powerfully on behalf of the people and businesses of Northern Ireland, laying bare the daily impact of the post-Brexit Protocol and Windsor Framework.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 24, 2025
Publication of the government’s draft legislation for the 2025-26 Finance Bill confirms that the Labour government is set to press ahead with its crippling inheritance agenda next year.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 23, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed a significant infrastructure investment of £3 million for the M1, secured after sustained pressure on the Department for Infrastructure to prioritise road upgrades in the local area.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 23, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is urging greater awareness of the RADAR key scheme, which provides people with disabilities secure and independent access to locked public toilets across the UK. This renewed call comes after she was contacted by a local constituent struggling to access public facilities due to their disability.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 23, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has made an emotional and urgent appeal in Parliament on behalf of a young constituent living with Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare but devastating genetic disorder that is treatable only if diagnosed before symptoms appear.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 23, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has seized an opportunity in Parliament to speak powerfully on behalf of the people and businesses of Northern Ireland, laying bare the daily impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol and Windsor Framework. Speaking during a Westminster debate, the DUP MP issued a damning indictment of the Government’s continued inaction and disregard for the economic and constitutional realities facing her constituents.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 19, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has called for anyone with information to come forward following a major fire incident in Lurgan, now being treated as arson.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 17, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart was delighted to support the Westminster launch of Farm Safety Week 2025, which runs from 21 st the 25 th July.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 17, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is continuing to call for the Labour government to step-up its frontline biosecurity efforts at all UK ports.