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A proposed bus advert by a Christian group would have been like a "slap in the face" to gay charity Stonewall over an anti-bullying message, the High Court has heard. Transport for London banned the Core Issues Trust's "ex-gay" advert because it could cause "widespread offence".

It told the court there was a "storm of protest" as news of the advert spread.

TfL said the mayor was aware but denied he influenced the decision, weeks before an election. The advert, which was to read "Not Gay! Ex-Gay, Post-Gay and Proud. Get over it!" was also paid for by Christian group Anglican Mainstream. Dr Michael Davidson, co-director of the Core Issues Trust, is asking the court for permission to have a judicial review against TfL's decision to ban the adverts.

'Outrage and disgust'
The trust submitted the advert on 5 April and after being cleared by the Committee for Advertising Practice, TfL was informed about it by advertising company CBS Outdoor on 12 April. The same day the Guardian newspaper published an article saying the signs would be displayed the following week.

Within hours, hundreds of comments expressing "outrage and disgust" were received by the paper and on social media and TfL also received 37 complaints. This was "a phenomenal negative response", Nigel Pleming QC, representing TfL, said.


Mike Davidson, who says he is "ex-gay", argues the ban was unlawful
The decision was made by TfL that evening not to run the advert, he said.