Ex-JP followed the ‘word of God’ on gay adoption
Christian at tribunal following NHS and judiciary dismissals
A Christian sacked as a magistrate and NHS trust director after speaking out against gay adoption has admitted making a court decision based on ‘the word of God’.
Richard Page, 71, is suing the health service after losing his position as non-executive director of the county’s mental health provider, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT).
During a four-day tribunal, the father-of-three, of Grigg Lane, Headcorn, referred to the Bible as “evidence” that determined his stance on same-sex adoption.
In 2015, during behind-thescenes discussions with two magistrates, Mr Page said a gay couple should not be allowed to adopt as it was unnatural and not in the child’s interests.
The remark led to the veteran JP – who sat on the Central Kent Bench covering Maidstone and Sevenoaks for 15 years – being struck off by then justice secretary Michael Gove.
Comments made in subsequent media interviews led to the NHS Trust Development Authority dismissing him.
Gay adoption became legal in 2005 but Mr Page told barrister David Massarella for the NHS there were circumstances where magistrates had to make decisions on issues not to do with the law.
But Mr Massarella batted away Mr Page’s repeated assertion he was “doing the best for the child”, saying: “This is not a media interview Mr Page, and I am not Jeremy Paxman.”
He told him his views were faith-based rather than evidencebased, with Mr Page responding: “Christianity gives evidence as to how to think, how to act. The Bible most definitely states man and woman parents are best for the child. As a Christian, that is what informs my thinking.”
During the tribunal, NHS bosses were accused by Pavel Stroilov, acting for Mr Page, of prioritising the LGBT commu- nity’s views over Christians, a claim KMPT chairman Andrew Ling vehemently denied.
He also rejected Mr Stroilov’s suggestion that it is possible to be a democrat, respect human rights and oppose same-sex adoption.
Mr Page is suing for discrimination, harassment and victimisation under the Equality Act 2010. He is also planning to sue the secretary of state for justice.
A ruling is expected to be made within a month.