Conservative Member of Parliament Chris Grayling is under fire for his remark that British bed and breakfasts run by Christians should be allowed to refuse service to gay couples.

According to the Financial Times, Grayling, who also serves as shadow home secretary, made the inflammatory comments at a recent meeting of the Centre for Policy Studies, a think tank.

“While he said that hotels should not be allowed to discriminate against gay people, those individuals running B&Bs were a different matter,” reported the Financial Times. "I took the view that if it's a question of somebody who's doing a B&B in their own home, that individual should have the right to decide who does and who doesn't come into their own home," said Grayling, according to the newspaper.

The comments arrive as Tory leader David Cameron attempts to burnish the social reform credentials of his party and enhance its image for tolerance.

Michael Black, a gay man refused service with his partner at a Christian-owned Swiss B&B in Cookham last month, called for Cameron to fire Grayling.