Progressing an Equality Bill is not a knee-jerk response to the controversy over a lesbian couple refused the tenancy of a flat in Ramsey, MHKs heard.
Chief Minister Allan Bell told the Keys it was his aim that a Bill should be brought forward for debate as soon as reasonably possible.
But he added: ‘I should make it quite clear that the decision to progress an Equality Bill is not a knee-jerk response to recent events.’
He explained that the Council of Ministers had agreed back in November 2011 that the Attorney General’s Chambers should draft a Bill covering both discrimination in employment and discrimination when providing goods and services.
CoMin agreed that this Bill would be subject to full public consultation.
Mr Bell admitted progress had been slower than might be hoped as there had been competing demands on the time of the legislative drafters and other important Bills to be dealt with.
But he added: ‘What recent events have highlighted is the extent of the current gaps in the island’s anti-discrimination legislation. This is obviously very distressing for people who find that they have no remedy under the law when faced with discrimination.
‘It also leaves the island vulnerable to adverse publicity and reputational damage when cases of discrimination come to light.’
More than 1,400 people signed a petition for equality legislation launched last month by Laura Cull and Kira Izzard after being refused a tenancy on a private flat because of their sexual orientation. The story made headlines in the UK. At the time, the Chief Minister strongly condemned the ‘ugly outdated prejudice’ of the landlord, Ramsey Independent Methodist Church Minister Keith Price.
Mr Bell said he had met officers from the Attorney General’s Chambers and asked the Equality Bill now be treated as a high priority.
He said the first draft will require further detailed work before it is issued for full public consultation but he added he would like it to be ready ‘as soon as possible’.
Mr Bell said the Bill will cover age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.