A priest has said he will withdraw engagement with groups from the gay community, until the right of all people to freedom of conscience is respected.

Fr Tim Bartlett was responding to a decision by the Equality Commission in Northern Ireland to take a civil action against a Christian-owned bakery firm.

Earlier this year, Ashers Baking Company in Belfast refused to bake a cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan.

Fr Bartlett said he will be writing today to groups from the gay community, to say that he is withdrawing his engagement until the right of all people, in this case Christians, to freedom of conscience is vindicated and respected by the Equality Commission and the gay community.

His remarks have been criticised by the Rainbow Project - a health support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families.

The group says there are fundamental issues that need to be addressed and discussed, rather than walking away.

In a statement to the BBC, Fr Bartlett said: "I also want to know why the chief commissioner of the Equality Commission talked quite openly about the Ashers case during the Gay Pride debate in Belfast but has since claimed he is not free to talk about it in public debate."