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Bishop faces gay claim tribunal Bishop faces gay claim tribunal
(10 minutes later)
An Anglican bishop is expected to appear before an employment tribunal accused of refusing to employ a man because of his sexuality. An Anglican bishop is expected to appear before an employment tribunal in Cardiff, accused of refusing to employ a man because of his sexuality.
John Reaney, 41, from Llandudno, Conwy claims he was refused a job as a youth worker because he is gay. John Reaney, 41, from Llandudno, Conwy, claims he was refused a job as a youth worker because he is gay.
He says the Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Revd Anthony Priddis asked him "humiliating" personal questions after an initial interview.He says the Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Revd Anthony Priddis asked him "humiliating" personal questions after an initial interview.
The Diocese of Hereford said Mr Reaney had never been offered the job. The Diocese of Hereford says the Bishop denies any unlawful discrimination.
Mr Reaney said he was interviewed for the job by a panel of eight, and told he was the unanimous choice for the position, subject to approval from the bishop.Mr Reaney said he was interviewed for the job by a panel of eight, and told he was the unanimous choice for the position, subject to approval from the bishop.
CelibateCelibate
He claims the Rt Revd Anthony Priddis quizzed him over his sexual orientation and was left in no doubt he would not be offered the job. He claims the Rt Revd Anthony Priddis then quizzed him over his sexual orientation and was left in no doubt he would not be offered the job.
A statement issued by the Diocese of Hereford on Tuesday denied any unlawful discrimination.A statement issued by the Diocese of Hereford on Tuesday denied any unlawful discrimination.
"The Bishop of Hereford denies any unlawful discrimination and has acted in accordance with Church teaching in applying a standard of sexual practice that applied equally to heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual and transsexual people and not on the orientation of any particular group. It read: "The Bishop of Hereford denies any unlawful discrimination and has acted in accordance with Church teaching in applying a standard of sexual practice that applied equally to heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual and transsexual people and not on the orientation of any particular group.
"We expect the same sexual standards of behaviour from support ministers, or lay ministers, as we do of clergy," it said. "We expect the same sexual standards of behaviour from support ministers, or lay ministers, as we do of clergy."
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 against people as a result of their sexual orientation.Under the employment equality regulations, passed in 2003, it is illegal to discriminate against people as a result of their sexual orientation.
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.
The tribunal is due to begin in Cardiff on Wednesday, during which the diocese is expected to claim that Mr Reaney was never offered the job.The tribunal is due to begin in Cardiff on Wednesday, during which the diocese is expected to claim that Mr Reaney was never offered the job.
The gay rights body, Stonewall, is funding Mr Reaney's case.The gay rights body, Stonewall, is funding Mr Reaney's case.