School chaplain was ‘reported as an extremist’ over LGBT talk
CLAIMS HE WAS ‘HOUNDED OUT OF HIS JOB’
AN independent school in Long Eaton reported its chaplain to the Government’s anti-terror watchdog after he suggested his students should “make up their own minds” on LGBT teachings.
Reverend Dr Bernard Randall, 48, was chaplain at Trent College when he was reported to Prevent, a programme which seeks to prevent people from being radicalised.
Rev Randall claims he was approached by students who suggested they had been confused and upset by the school’s new LGBT teaching proposals.
His lawyers say he subsequently held a sermon in the school’s chapel, where he presented the Church of England’s teachings on marriage and human nature, and said “children at the school were not compelled to ‘accept an ideology they disagree with.’”
He then suggested students should debate and make up their own minds during the sermon in 2019.
A week later his legal team says he was suspended and reported to the Government’s anti-terror watchdog.
A spokeswoman for Derbyshire Police said: “The force received a referral from Trent College in July 2019 – in relation to a member of staff.
“Following a review of the information it was found that it did not meet the threshold for a Prevent referral and no further action was taken and no case was recorded on the force system. The college was informed of this decision.
“Given the passage of time since the event we are unable to provide further clarity on email correspondence from the time due to the member of staff no longer working in the force.”
Rev Randall appealed his dismissal, and it was overturned by the school’s governors. He was given a final warning.
It is claimed all his sermons then had to be approved before being delivered.
However, the Christian Legal Centre says he was then made redundant on December 31 last year.
Speaking of being reported to Prevent without his knowledge, Rev Randall said: “I was terrified. I did not sleep. What was I supposed to tell my family?
“Being reported as a potential terrorist, extremist and a danger to children are arguably the worst crimes you could be accused of.
“When I found out they had reported me without telling me, my mind was blown trying to comprehend it. I had gone to such lengths in the sermon to stress that we must respect one another no matter what, even people we disagree with.
“I am not ashamed to say I cried with relief when I was told that the report to Prevent was not going to be taken further. Yet I ended up being told that I had to support everybody else’s beliefs, no matter what, while my Christian beliefs, the Church of England’s beliefs, were blatantly censored.
“During the disciplinary hearing, I was never asked what I thought, they just assumed that I had extreme religious views.
“I don’t think the Church of England is an extremist organisation.”
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, added: “When an ordained Church of England minister can’t give a simple sermon in a Church of England school without being reported as an extremist and hounded out of his job then who is safe?
“For many years Bernard Randall has worked in education motivated by his love for God and others.”
Rev Randall is taking Trent College to an employment tribunal which is expected to be heard at East Midlands Employment Tribunal from June 14.
Trent College has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time this edition went to press.