Christian registrar, Lillian Ladele, loses latest gay ‘marriage’ court challenge

Published: 12 March 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB

THE Christian registrar who was threatened with the sack after refusing to “marry” gay couples has lost her latest court battle against Islington Council.

Rejecting Lillian Ladele’s request to appeal against a   judge’s decision, the Supreme Court deemed the battle between the registrar and the Town Hall as “not of general public importance”.

Now Ms Ladele, 48, is preparing to take her case to the European Court of Human Rights.

She had hoped to overturn High Court Master of the Rolls Lord Justice Dyson’s decision in December backing the council.

The Town Hall had argued Ms Ladele’s religious beliefs, that same-sex unions were “sinful”, clashed with their strict employment codes and meant she was failing to fulfil her duties.

In a statement, Ms Ladele, of Skinner Street, Finsbury, said:  “When the rights of different groups clash surely there must be a proportionate attempt to balance those competing rights. In my case, one set of rights was trampled by another set of rights”

Mike Judge, of the Christian Institute, which is backing Ms Ladele,  said: “The Supreme Court decision will only serve to reinforce the impression that Christians are being pushed to the sidelines of public life.”

Lib Dem equalities chief Councillor Ruth Polling said:  “We’ve always maintained public sector employees must carry out their duties without discrimination.”

Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society said: “Had Ms Ladele’s case succeeded it would have completely undermined equal treatment under the law for gay people.”