I agree that the word 'uproar' seems to be a Mail device to ratchet things up, however the quotes suggest that some members of the community complained enough to take it up with a councillor and extract an apology from the police commissioner.

As for your second point I disagree. Not in the work place, he/she should keep those thoughts private otherwise it's carte blance to voice all our private gripes to, and about, our colleagues. If someone is against gays and vocalises this then they would not be suitable to work in a gay bar and should not claim discrimination and damages just because the situation is against their beliefs.

"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."