Scottish Daily Mail

Is it just ME?

Or is it bonkers that vegans need to be protected by law?

- by Sarah Vine

LAST week, a judge at an employment tribunal ruled that ethical veganism is now a ‘philosophi­cal belief’ — so in the eyes of the law, at least, being vegan is on a par with being a Catholic or a Muslim.

Of course, evangelica­l vegans have often been accused of being quasirelig­ious about their beliefs but no one, until now, has suggested the rest of us might be prosecuted for not taking them too seriously.

Because, thanks to this ruling, it is theoretica­lly possible for anyone who fails to show sufficient respect for their fellow plant-based human to be accused of discrimina­tion.

Only in today’s hyperwoke world could this happen. If I offer a hungry vegan work colleague half my ham sandwich, will that be a hate crime? If a vegan waiter is asked to serve a

It’s proof that in this crazy world no one is safe from the woke police

steak, will their human rights have been violated? Potentiall­y, yes.

Because as the lawyer acting for Jordi Casamitjan­a, whose unfair dismissal claim brought about the ruling, said, any criticism directed at ethical vegans ‘might be seen to be harassment in the same way a racist or sexist slur might be discrimina­tory action’.

I’m sorry, but there is a big difference between attacking someone because of their skin colour or sex and disagreein­g with their menu choices. Because being vegan is a choice, in a way that being a woman, black or gay just isn’t.

You might as well suggest smokers or alcoholics deserve the same rights — after all, they are every bit as dedicated as vegans. What makes this case even madder is that Casamitjan­a’s employer was the League Against Cruel Sports. Proof that in this crazy world, truly no one is safe from the woke police.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom