Couple who wanted to adopt their foster children because they were straight and youngsters need a 'mummy and daddy' are BANNED from doing so because of their 'anti-gay' views
- A married couple has been barred from adopting their two foster children
- The husband and wife were told that a gay couple wanted to adopt the kids
- But they said a child needs a 'mother and father' rather than gay parents
A married couple has been barred from adopting their two young foster children after saying a child needs a 'mother and father' - and not gay parents.
The husband and wife, who are both Christians, have been fostering the children for almost one year and started looking after them when they were pre-school age.
But last month, a social worker told the pair that a gay couple wanted to adopt the children, prompting the married duo - who are in their early 40s - to ask if it was a 'joke'.
And just two days after they were told about the male couple's desire to become the adoptive parents - the husband and wife applied to adopt the children.
The married couple, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, tried to adopt the children but were not allowed (stock photo)
But social services blocked their application and added they would not consider their request as they expressed 'concerning' opinions about the gay couple, reports The Sunday Times.
Campaigners said the council's decision was worrying as it could mean people could be prevented from adopting children after voicing traditional parenting views.
The Christian Legal Centre is supporting the couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the organisation, told MailOnline: 'The couple have been fostering the children since the beginning of the year.
'They wanted to adopt the children but were told that their three-bedroom home was too small.
'They were then told that an application had been matched with a same-sex couple and the foster parents said "we really believe the children need a mum and a dad".
'The couple then made a formal application to adopt the children because they don't want to lose the children.
'They are bewildered by the system, they just feel these children need a mother and a father - it's not about discrimination in any way.'
Andrea Williams (pictured) is the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting the married couple
The couple wrote to their local council to appeal the decision and have said that they 'don't want to fight' or make 'idealogical arguments'.
They added they had 'not expressed homophobic views' and said that they were both 'highly educated'.
The couple told the newspaper: 'We are Christians and we expressed the view that a child needs a mother and a father.
'We expressed our views in modest, temperate terms, based on our Christian convictions.'
MailOnline has contacted the council for comment.
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