NHS director loses sacking case in gay adoption row

A CHRISTIAN NHS director sacked after saying it is better for children to be brought up by a mother and father than by a gay couple has lost his claim for religious discrimination.

Richard Page was suspended from his role at a hospital trust following complaints from gay and lesbian staff.

The 71-year-old took his case to an employment tribunal but his claim has been dismissed and his bid to be reinstated as a non-executive director of the NHS trust has been rejected.

Supporters say the decision sets a dangerous precedent and risks undermining free speech. They also say the case demonstrates how difficult those with Christian views now find it to hold public office in modern Britain. Mr Page had previously been sacked as a magistrate over comments about would-be adopters.

In the tribunal ruling, Judge Keith Bryant said Mr Page was sacked not for his views, but for speaking to the media about his beliefs when he was asked not to.

But Andrea Williams from the Christian Legal Centre, which has been supporting

‘Makes a mockery of freedom of speech’

Mr Page, said: ‘Simply for holding a perfectly lawful view, this man finds himself removed from public office. This judgment makes a mockery of the freedom of thought, of speech, and the rule of law.’

Mr Page said he plans to appeal against the tribunal ruling.

In his witness statement to the Croydon Employment Tribunal in South London, Mr Page said: ‘It is best for any child to be raised in a traditional family. The child needs the complementary roles offered by both parents, male and female, psychological as well as physical. I take a sceptical view of same-sex adoptions, or adoptions by a single person.’

But the trust said the expression of his views had ‘undermined’ the confidence of NHS staff, he had failed to keep the trust informed about the disciplinary process leading to his removal as a magistrate, and his ‘engagement with the media’.

Rejecting his claims of religious discrimination, victimisation and harassment, Judge Bryant said his actions were ‘clearly in conflict with the protection of health... and with the rights of others’.

Mr Page could not be reached for further comment last night.