Two of Britain’s biggest banks, Barclays and Coutts, have threatened to withdraw funding from an awards ceremony hosted by pro-gay organisation, Stonewall, unless they cease their “Bigot of the Year” award.

The move comes after the group gave the title to Cardinal Keith O’Brien (pictured) this year, a decision condemned by the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Peter Kearney, the director of the Scottish Catholic Media Office, said the wider public does not endorse such name-calling which he claimed was designed “to attack and demean those who don’t share their views”.

Mr Kearney called on Stonewall sponsors, including the Scottish Government, to withdraw support from future awards.  

The statement also called into question Government funding of the organisation.

It said: “Numerous public bodies give sizeable financial donations to Stonewall including the Scottish Government, these intolerant and intimidatory tactics should mean that this funding is now questioned and examined as a matter of urgency.”  

The row came after Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson picked up a politician of the year gong from the equality group.

Ms Davidson was awarded the title in recognition of her becoming the first openly gay leader of a major UK political party.  
But she criticised the bigot of the year category, saying it was “simply wrong” to use such terminology.

Ms Davidson, who attended the ceremony presented by broadcaster Gok Wan, said: “There are many voices in this debate and just as I respectfully express my sincerely held belief that we should extend marriage to same-sex couples, I will also respect those who hold a different view.”

The annual ceremony honours those who have made a positive contribution to the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Scotland and around the world.

Ms Davidson was selected from a shortlist of five politicians including Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The Cardinal, who has strongly opposed Scottish Government plans to extend marriage to same-sex couples, has previously described gay marriage as a “grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right”.