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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Gay man takes bishop to tribunal | Gay man takes bishop to tribunal |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The Bishop of Hereford is being taken to an employment tribunal by a man who claims he was refused a job as a youth worker because he is gay. | |
| John Reaney, 41, of north Wales, said he was told after an interview that a job offer was a "formality" but was later summoned to meet the bishop. | John Reaney, 41, of north Wales, said he was told after an interview that a job offer was a "formality" but was later summoned to meet the bishop. |
| He claims the Rt Revd Anthony Priddis then asked him "humiliating" personal questions about his private life. | He claims the Rt Revd Anthony Priddis then asked him "humiliating" personal questions about his private life. |
| The diocese said Mr Reaney had never been offered the job. | The diocese said Mr Reaney had never been offered the job. |
| The two-day tribunal is due to begin in Cardiff on Wednesday. | The two-day tribunal is due to begin in Cardiff on Wednesday. |
| It is clearly pretty shaming for the bishop to spend Holy Week in an industrial tribunal Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive | It is clearly pretty shaming for the bishop to spend Holy Week in an industrial tribunal Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive |
| Mr Reaney, who has previously worked as a youth worker for the dioceses of Norwich and Chester, says he was interviewed for the job by a panel of eight, including two vicars. | Mr Reaney, who has previously worked as a youth worker for the dioceses of Norwich and Chester, says he was interviewed for the job by a panel of eight, including two vicars. |
| He claims he was then phoned to be told he was the unanimous choice for the job and the appointment would be confirmed, subject to approval by the bishop. | He claims he was then phoned to be told he was the unanimous choice for the job and the appointment would be confirmed, subject to approval by the bishop. |
| But when the bishop interviewed him, he claims he was quizzed over his sexual orientation and left in no doubt he would not be offered the job. | But when the bishop interviewed him, he claims he was quizzed over his sexual orientation and left in no doubt he would not be offered the job. |
| The Church of England's policy is that all homosexual staff must remain celibate. | The Church of England's policy is that all homosexual staff must remain celibate. |
| Under the employment equality regulations, passed in 2003, it is illegal to discriminate in the workplace against people as a result of their sexual orientation. | Under the employment equality regulations, passed in 2003, it is illegal to discriminate in the workplace against people as a result of their sexual orientation. |
| We expect the same sexual standards of behaviour from support ministers, or lay ministers, as we do of clergy Diocese of Hereford | We expect the same sexual standards of behaviour from support ministers, or lay ministers, as we do of clergy Diocese of Hereford |
| The law contained an exemption for organised religion and this case is expected to act as a test over whether support staff in the Church of England are included in this. | The law contained an exemption for organised religion and this case is expected to act as a test over whether support staff in the Church of England are included in this. |
| Mr Reaney's case is being funded by the gay equality organisation Stonewall. | Mr Reaney's case is being funded by the gay equality organisation Stonewall. |
| Its chief executive Ben Summerskill said he believed Mr Reaney had a strong case. | Its chief executive Ben Summerskill said he believed Mr Reaney had a strong case. |
| He said: "It is unacceptable for the Church of England to argue that they are entitled to refuse to employ someone who is very competent and experienced because of their sexual orientation. | He said: "It is unacceptable for the Church of England to argue that they are entitled to refuse to employ someone who is very competent and experienced because of their sexual orientation. |
| "It is clearly pretty shaming for the bishop to spend Holy Week in an industrial tribunal." | "It is clearly pretty shaming for the bishop to spend Holy Week in an industrial tribunal." |
| A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Hereford said: "John Reaney did not get the job he applied for in the diocese. | A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Hereford said: "John Reaney did not get the job he applied for in the diocese. |
| "He was not offered the job and therefore an offer cannot have been withdrawn. | "He was not offered the job and therefore an offer cannot have been withdrawn. |
| "We expect the same sexual standards of behaviour from support ministers, or lay ministers, as we do of clergy." | "We expect the same sexual standards of behaviour from support ministers, or lay ministers, as we do of clergy." |