Durham: fresh claims over married pregnancy pressure

A married woman who was employed by Christchurch Durham (CCD) has alleged its former pastor Tony Jones told her to take maternity leave and then resign from her church role when she became pregnant, and described his influence as ‘cult-like’.

Jones, now a minister in the US, continues to face numerous accusations in relation to his leadership and the culture over which he presided during his 17 years in office, which ended in December last year. In the March issue of en, it was reported that a number of whistle-blowers wrote in May 2021 to CCD trustees expressing ‘long-held concerns’ at Jones’ ‘use of power’, alleged domineering leadership and coercion and control.

The female employee (V), who wishes to remain anonymous, was a church member for ten years and claims that, despite having a formal contract of employment, Jones allegedly told her to resign because it wasn’t appropriate for a married woman with a baby to be in ministry. Under UK law, it is unfair dismissal and unlawful discrimination to dismiss a female employee because of pregnancy.