Homophobia is widespread in the workplace, survey reveals

More than five million people - almost one in six adult Britons - have seen gay or lesbian colleagues being physically or verbally bullied at work as a direct result of their sexuality.

The findings, based on research commissioned by Stonewall, the gay rights group, reveal workplace homophobia to be widespread. Published this week, the YouGov survey of more than 2,000 people provides a snapshot of attitudes towards lesbians and gay men in Britain and the extent of prejudice against them.

British people are largely tolerant of gay people with nine out of 10 support ing laws to protect them. But Stonewall said the poll does highlight significant pockets of prejudice, especially in the workplace.

Alan Wardle, Stonewall's director of public affairs, said: "We need strong messages from managers that homophobia will not be tolerated."

Other messages are coming through the courts. Rob Whitfield, 31, a management consultant from Southwark, recently won more than £35,000 in damages after a bullying campaign at a waste disposal firm, Cleanaway, where it was suggested he would "earn more money working as a rent boy".

The research also showed significant geographical differences in attitudes, with 83 per cent of Londoners in favour of tackling anti-gay prejudice, compared with 65 per cent in the east of England.