Around 100 people gathered outside London’s Dorchester hotel on Saturday (April 6) to protest the Sultan of Brunei’s decision to enact Islamic laws making gay sex and adultery punishable by stoning to death.

The Dorchester is owned by the Sultan of Brunei along with the eight other members of Dorchester Collection, including Coworth Park in Ascot and Le Meurice in Paris.

Celebrities including George Clooney and Elton John are leading calls to boycott the hotels.

STA Travel has decided it will no longer sell Royal Brunei Airlines flights following the implementation of the anti-LGBT laws.

“We’re proud of our open and diverse culture and we expect our partners to demonstrate the same,” said STA.

“We do not support in any way the laws being introduced in Brunei, which also apply on Brunei- registered aircraft and vessels. Because of this, we have stopped selling Royal Brunei Airlines flights.

“Anybody who bought Royal Brunei Airlines tickets through STA Travel and who no longer wants to use them can claim a refund, and we will help those customers make alternative travel arrangements.”

The airline said it did not wish to comment as TTG went to press.

Meanwhile, the social media accounts of Dorchester Collection’s properties have been deactivated by the company due to “personal abuse directed at our employees”, although its corporate pages remain active.

“Dorchester Collection is an inclusive and diverse company and does not tolerate any form of discrimination,” said the hotel group in a statement.

“Dorchester Collection’s code emphasises equality, respect and integrity in all areas of our operation and strongly values people and cultural diversity among our guests and employees.”

(Picture credit: Tom Capon, travel editor at Gay Star News)