Judge grants legal protection
VEGANS are entitled to legal protection from all discrimination, a judge has ruled.
Judge Robin Postle made the landmark decision over ethical vegan Jordi Casamitjana’s claims he was unfairly sacked for his “philosophical belief”.
The 55-year-old said he was dismissed by the League Against Cruel Sports for raising concerns about its pension fund investing in companies involved in animal testing.
Mr Casamitjana told his employment tribunal he was so devoted to his way of life he goes as far as avoiding holding leather straps or sitting on leather seats.
And he prefers to walk rather than catch a bus to avoid accidental crashes with insects or birds.
Judge Postle agreed yesterday Mr Casamitjana adheres to the belief, but is yet to make a decision as to whether his sacking was unfair. But he ruled that ethical vegans should be entitled to legal protection from all forms of discrimination.
The judge, sitting in Norwich, said: “It is not just about choices of diet, but it is about what that person wears, and all aspects of their life seem to be governed by ethical veganism.”
After the ruling, Mr Casamitjana said: “This is a very important ruling for vegans everywhere in the world that will inspire other vegans in other countries that don’t have that protection to develop cases that will lead to that protection.”
And his solicitor Peter Daly claimed abuse directed at ethical vegans might now be seen as harassment in the same way as “a racist or sexist slur”.
He added: “This is a very significant judgment. It recognises for the first time that ethical veganism can form protective characteristics under the equality act.
“Therefore ethical veganism can be protected from discrimination.”
The judge is expected to make a full ruling next month over whether the League Against Cruel Sports treated Mr Casamitjana unfairly because of his beliefs.
Rhys Wyborn, who acted for the League Against Cruel Sports, said the organisation maintains it dismissed Mr Casamitjana “due to his misconduct and not the belief he holds”.