Pastor’s tweet on ‘harmful’ gay pride was ‘born out of love’

A CHRISTIAN pastor claims he was “forced out” of his primary school job after tweeting that gay pride events were “harmful” to children, a tribunal has heard.

Keith Waters, 55, has accused school bosses of religious discrimination and constructive dismissal. He claimed the tweet on June 1, 2019, which he later deleted, was an expression of a “Christian viewpoint” on LGBTQ Pride events.

At an employment tribunal in Cambridge yesterday, Mr Waters opened legal action against his former employer, the Active Learning Trust, which runs the secular Isle of Ely Primary School in Ely, Cambs. He defended his comments, saying they were “born out of love”.

The tribunal also heard that Mr Waters claimed he was targeted on social media by people with an “agenda” after he posted his tweet.

Mr Waters said he felt forced to quit before disciplinary proceedings were due to begin. The tribunal continues.