A Christian was unlawfully dismissed from her role as a school pastoral worker after she criticised LGBT relationship education on her social media, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Lord Justice Underhill made clear that dismissal merely because the employee ‘expressed a religious or other protected belief to which the employer, or a third party with whom it wishes to protect its reputation, objects will constitute unlawful direct discrimination within the meaning of the Equality Act’.
Kristie Higgs, now 48, was sacked by a Gloucestershire secondary school in 2019 after she made social media posts expressing her concern about the content of sex education and transgender ideology in primary schools. The school was not mentioned in her posts, however a parent complained to the headteacher that Kristie had expressed ‘homophobic and prejudiced views’.
The Court of Appeal ruled that her dismissal was ‘unquestionably a disproportionate response’ to her posts and constituted unlawful discrimination.
Following the ruling, Kristie said: ‘Expressing biblical Christian teaching on gender and sexuality may appear to be offensive to those who hold the opposite views, but as today’s judgment signals, Christians have a right to express their beliefs publicly… Too many Christians have suffered discipline or marginalisation at their work because of their Christian faith.'
Andrea Williams of the Christian Legal Centre (which supported Kristie) said: ‘The Court of Appeal has confirmed, loud and clear, that ideological censorship at workplace is illegal, and any employer who tramples upon their employees’ right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion breaks the law of the land.’
The Association of Christian Teachers (ACT) acted as intervenors in the Court of Appeal and said: ‘The successful appeal is great news for ACT members and other Christians working in education as it not only sets a crucial precedent for free speech but also secures the right to express Christian beliefs in the UK.
