Christian ex-magistrate loses appeal over sacking

A FORMER magistrate who claimed he was wrongfully sacked after publicly voicing his Christian beliefs has lost a Court of Appeal challenge against his dismissal.

Richard page claimed he was removed from the bench and dismissed from his senior role at an NHS trust in 2016 after expressinghis views on same-sex couples and adoption, and for saying in an interview that he had been discriminated against for his opinions on the issue.

He brought a legal challenge against the government and the NHS Trust Development Authority, arguing that he was discriminated against and faced victimi- sation because of his religion and beliefs.

Ruling on his case yesterday, a panel of judges said the appeals should be dismissed.

Regarding Mr Page’s removal from the bench, lord justice Underhill said: “The appellant was removed as a magistrate because he declared publicly that, in dealing with cases involving adoption by same-sex couples, he would proceed not on the basis of the law or the evidence but on the basis of his own preconceived beliefs about such adoptions.

“He was not, which was the only issue on this appeal, removed because he had complained about the earlier disciplinary proceedings against him.

“The basis on which he was dismissed was entirely lawful and involved no breach of his human rights.”

Lord Justice Peter Jackson said Mr Page was not dismissed for complaining about his treatment but because he had shown himself “incapable of honouring his undertaking” to act as a magistrate in a way that was free from bias.

Mr Page’s lawyers told a Court of Appeal hearing in November last year that his “world was turned upside down” in 2014, when he was one of three magistrates considering an adoption application by a same-sex couple.

He objected to the adoption order being made and expressed views to his colleagues which indicated to them that he had an issue with the idea of a same-sex couple adopting the child.

Complaints were made, alleging that Mr Page was prejudiced against same-sex couples, which he denied.

Mr Page was suspended from his role as non-executive director at the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust after doing an interview with the BBC, having previously been told that he should inform the trust before contacting the media.

He was told his contract would not be renewed after June 2016.