Christian couple ban gayman & his partner from buying their dream £650,000 home over their sexuality

A gay couple were stunned to be told they could not buy their dream house in Surrey from a devoutly Christian couple - because of their sexuality.

When they tried to arrange a viewing through internet estate agents Purplebricks, they were refused and sent astonishing references to fire and brimstone Bible passages by the couple.

Luke Whitehouse and his ITV producer partner Lachlan Mantell spotted a £650,000, three-bed, semi-detached cottage as they looked to get on the property ladder.

The vendors, builder Luke Main, 33, and his wife, Cambridge University medical physicist Dr Joanna Brunker, 34, refused to let Luke and his partner even view the house, let alone buy it, because they were gay.

They cited passages from the Bible and said they could not sell the house to 'two men in a partnership.'

Luke Whitehouse and his partner Lachlan Mantell (pictured) were told they couldn't view a property that they had seen because the owners didn't want to sell to a gay couple

Luke Main (left), 33, a builder and his wife, Cambridge University medical physicist Dr Joanna Brunker (right), 34, told them they were against selling their home to 'two men in a partnership'

The Christian couple's property (pictured) was advertised with a guide price of £650,000

Now the online property giant has removed the ad from their site, telling the Mains that their message to Luke and his partner was 'completely opposed' to the firm's values.

Fuming Luke, 34, told MailOnline: 'Initially for the first 10 seconds I laughed. I thought it was a joke.

'But then I was upset and angry and I had a cry on the phone to my mum. Homophobia still exists, it is still out there. I did not see it coming. I was blindsided by it.'

Luke and Lachlan, 37 - who have been together for eight years - planned to view the house in Surrey last week.

When they asked for a viewing, the Mains messaged them back saying: 'Would you mind telling us a bit about your position and circumstances when you have a moment please?'.

Lachlan happily replied telling them a little about why they liked the area, adding: 'I'm a 37-year-old TV producer for ITV and Luke is a 33-year-old business owner in education.'

But the Christian couple's response stunned them: It read: 'Dear Lachlan and Luke, thank you for sharing your circumstances with us.

'We're sorry if we seem intrusive, but we just want to make clear that we would be unwilling for two men in a partnership to view or buy our house.

'As it is contrary to the gracious teaching in God's Word, the Holy Bible, e.g Romans 1:24-28 and Jude 7 (King James Version). With regards'

The gay couple spotted the ad for the three bedroom semi detached property on Rightmove

Luke, 34, and his partner Lachlan, 37 - who have been together for eight years - told MailOnline that they were stunned that they had been prevented from viewing the property

When contacted by MailOnline, Mr Main (top) said that he would have to discuss the matter with his wife Ms Brunker - but added that they were 'not ashamed' of their stance

Ms Brunker

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