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Islington Tribune - by TOM FOOT
Published: 14 November 2008

Lillian Ladele

Gay ‘sinners’ registrar appeal date

A DATE has been set for the council’s potentially embarrassing appeal against a decision to award damages to a Town Hall wedding registrar who refused to “marry” gay couples.
Council chiefs say they have been “left with no option” but to fight an employment tribunal’s landmark ruling to uphold Lillian Ladele’s claim that she was discriminated against on account of her religious belief that all homosexuals are “sinners”.
Ms Ladele, a devout Christian, argued she had been asked to choose between her god and her job by the council, which threatened her with the sack if she continued to refuse to officiate in civil partnership ceremonies.
The tribunal reached a unanimous decision awarding costs and tens of thousands of pounds in damages to Ms Ladele.
The council argues it must set the record straight to ensure future staff do not hold discriminatory views against others based on their sexual preference. Cllr John Gilbert, lead member for human resources, said: “Appealing the tribunal’s decision wasn’t a decision we took lightly but we believe an important question is at stake and the law must be clarified.
“Islington Council expects employees to provide services to all sections of the community, regardless of who they are. In the light of the judgement, we and all councils and employers now need to know whether this is possible under the law as it currently stands.”
The appeal will be heard at the Employment Appeal Tribunal Court on December 10 at Audit House in Victoria Embankment.

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