Christian claims discrimination 'on grounds of religion'

Mark Sheridan, a churchgoer of 20 years standing, is at at employment tribunal in Abergele, Wales this week, supported by the British Humanist Association would you believe. He is claiming religious discrimination against him and constructive dismissal by his employers, Prospects. He says he was forced as a manager to tell non-Christians they could not be promoted because of their lack of faith, and this made his job impossible. This is a landmark case that will test in the courts for the first time the legislation that permits this kind of thing, the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003. Today his entire witness statement was read out in court, and I've reproduced it below. You can also read our story at Times Online about this complex but interesting case. The other claimant in the case, Louise Hender, is represented by her union, Unison. She is a non-Christian also claiming religious discrimination. Peter Kirk at 'Gentle Wisdom' has done an interesting commentary on the case.