Homophobic ad ban 'not unlawful'

Ms Justice Lang ruled that the London mayor did not abuse his position as chairman of Transport for London.

She said that the way the agency introduced the ban "was procedurally unfair, in breach of its own procedures and demonstrated a failure to consider the relevant issues."

But this was outweighed by factors against allowing the ad, including that it would "cause grave offence" to those who were gay and was perceived as homophobic, "thus increasing the risk of prejudice and homophobic attacks."

The ad read: "Not Gay! Ex-Gay, Post-Gay and Proud. Get over it!"

The decision was a defeat for Core Issues Trust, a charity which claims that gay people can be helped to "move out of homosexuality," but the group was given permission to appeal.