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'It creates a problem for any Christian if they are expected to do or condone something that they see as sinful,' she had said
Lillian Ladele
Christian registrar who refused same-sex ceremonies loses appeal
The Christian registrar whose refusal to perform same-sex civil partnership ceremonies was last year ruled as "unacceptable discrimination" by the employment appeal tribunal, has lost her attempt to have the decision overturned at the court of appeal.
Lillian Ladele, a registrar of births, deaths and marriages for Islington council, who had said she could not conduct the ceremonies because they contravened her religious beliefs, claimed to have suffered religious discrimination and harassment because of her refusal.
At an employment tribunal in July 2008, she said: "It creates a problem for any Christian if they are expected to do or condone something that they see as sinful." Her hearings at tribunals and at the court of appeal, which pronounced today, have been supported by the Christian Institute.
Dismissing her case, Lord Neuberger said:
"It appears to me that, however much sympathy one may have with someone such as Ms Ladele, who is faced with choosing between giving up a post she plainly appreciates or officiating at events which she considers to be contrary to her religious beliefs, the legislature has decided that the requirements of a modern liberal democracy, such as the United Kingdom, include outlawing discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on grounds of sexual orientation, subject only to very limited exceptions."
In 2007, 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".
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".
Gay rights group Stonewall welcomed today's court of appeal ruling. Derek Munn, director of public affairs, said:
"Stonewall are pleased that the court of appeal has upheld the right of lesbian and gay people to receive public services from public servants. We are glad that Islington council have seen this through for the sake of their lesbian and gay council tax payers.
"You can't refuse a service to a person based on their gender, race or disability and you can't on the basis of their sexual orientation either."
