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'This case is part of a homophobic fight-back by Christian fundamentalists', said Peter Tatchell
Lillian Ladele
Christian registrar who refused same-sex ceremonies goes back to court
The Christian registrar whose refusal to perform same-sex civil partnership ceremonies was last year ruled as "unacceptable discrimination" by the employment appeal tribunal, will today attempt to have the judgement overruled by the court of appeal.
In 2007, Lillian Ladele was disciplined for refusing to perform the ceremonies following complaints made by two gay colleagues that she was in contravention of Islington council's dignity for all policy. Ladele brought a discrimination claim and in July 2008 an employment tribunal ruled in her favour, finding that the council "placed a greater value on the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community than it placed on the rights of Ms Ladele as one holding an orthodox Christian belief".
At the time, human rights campaigner Peter Tachell said: "Lillian Ladele claims she has won a victory for religious liberty. No, she has not. She has won a victory for the right to discriminate."
However, last December the employment appeal tribunal overruled the 2008 judgement, finding that the council had been entitled to discipline Ladele and threaten her with dismissal, because "it was unacceptable discrimination for the claimant to refuse to participate in civil partnership ceremonies. It offended some gay employees and involved discriminating against third parties making use of the services of the council".
Today's court of appeal hearing is backed by the Christian Institute, who also funded Ladele's 2008 case. Mike Judge, a spokesman for the organisation, said today: "If this decision is allowed to stand it will help squeeze Christians from the public sphere because of their religious beliefs on ethical issues.
"The rights of Muslims and homosexuals are protected, but the rights of Christians always seem to be on a lower level."
Peter Tatchell said of today's hearing: "The case is part of a homophobic fight-back by Christian fundamentalists who resent the removal in law of their right to discriminate against lesbian and gay people.
"Faith can never be a legitimate reason to seek exemption from the law and the moral obligation to treat other people with respect and equality.
"The issue is very simple. Gay people have no right to discriminate against religious people, and religious people have no right to discriminate against gay people."
