Andrea Williams reports

The case of Duke Amachree

The internal appeal at Wandsworth Council of Duke's case, the homelessness prevention officer, who was sacked for asking a sick client whether she had considered putting her faith in God, took place on 15 December. Sadly, common sense did not prevail and Wandsworth Council dismissed his appeal. During the course of the hearing the investigative officer for Wandsworth Council, an employee of Wandsworth Council, Mr Hussein said 'To bring religion up in the course of an interview would be a very dangerous thing to do'.

A good crowd of people came to stand outside the Council Buildings, despite the freezing weather. Many of Duke's colleagues came by in support of him but stated that they feared to speak out at work on his behalf because that would mean serious repercussions for them. Thank you to many of our supporters who have taken action over this.

Wandsworth Council have attempted to insinuate that Duke's case is far more serious than we portray in an attempt to undermine him. The evidence they rely on is an email and one interview of an individual, whose evidence we have never been able to test. She told an inconsistent story about how he spoke about God and stated clearly that she did not want him to lose his job over this. Wandsworth Council have preferred her story over his despite his 18 years of exemplary service. This all started because Duke, out of compassion, mentioned God in the workplace.

Click here for more on the case.

The case of Lillian Ladele

Lillian Ladele, the Christian registrar who was told to perform same-sex civil partnerships or face dismissal, lost her case for religious discrimination in the Court of Appeal also on 15 December. This Case is being backed by The Christian Institute. Lawyers acting for Miss Ladele say she will appeal the case to the Supreme Court.

The Christian Legal Centre is supporting the case of her colleague Theresa Davies. CLC is also aware of two other Civil Registrars who resigned because of the pressure that was on them. They did not know of the existence of CLC. It is hoped that there are not many more cases like this.

The Christian Legal Centre is also supporting the case of Gary McFarlane, the Relate Counsellor who was sacked because he felt he could not counsel same sex couples in psychosexual counselling.

These cases reveal the sad state of Britain today. Wonderful, diligent, Christian workers are being forced out of their jobs because of so called equality and diversity policies which end up discriminating against Christians.