A Christian social worker is suing an NHS-backed company after he was denied a job due to his anti-LGBT views.
Felix Ngole, 46, claims that he lost out on a £25,000 a year role as a mental health support worker when Touchstone Support, a Leeds-based company, discovered his Christian beliefs.
The father of three said despite performing well in the interview, his job offer was rescinded after the organisation discovered that he had once won a landmark legal case over his right to freedom of speech.
The company, which is backed by the LGBT campaign group Stonewall, claimed his “strong views against homosexuality” did not align with its “ethos and values”.
Felix Ngole claims that he lost out on a role as a mental health support worker due to his beliefs
Christian Concern
Ngole was thrown off his social worker training course in 2015 after he made a Facebook post quoting passages from the Bible about same-sex marriage.
However, in 2019, the Court of Appeal ruled that his personal views did not mean he would discriminate against someone.
The 46-year-old, who is being backed by the Christian Legal Centre, said that Touchstone interrogated him about his religious beliefs when they became aware of his involvement in the case.
He was allegedly told that unless he could prove how he would “embrace and promote homosexual rights”, the offer would be rescinded.
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“While they fell short of calling me homophobic, they portrayed me as someone who doesn't like people from the LGBT community and was going to cause them harm. I was distraught. It's not who I am as a Christian,” he told the Daily Mail.
“I would never discriminate against anyone – that's the opposite of what the Bible teaches. Sadly, they didn't give me that same respect in return. I can't pledge allegiance to the LGBT flag to be offered a job – and I don't believe, as a committed Christian, I should be made to do so.”
Now, Ngole is bringing claims of direct discrimination, harassment, and breaches of the Equality Act 2010 against the NHS-backed company.
The 46-year-old’s team will argue that if the court sides with Touchstone, it will set a precedent amongst other companies that they can discriminate against Christians in situations where they come into contact with LGBT members.
Touchstone Support is backed by the NHS
PA
Ngole is bringing claims of direct discrimination, harassment, and breaches of the Equality Act 2010 against the NHS-backed company
Christian Concern
Speaking ahead of the hearing, Ngole said: “I was told I was the best candidate for the job, then suddenly I found I was unemployable because they discovered that I am a Christian.
“No one has ever told me that I have not treated them well in my professional experience. I have never been accused of forcing my beliefs on anyone. I have supported vulnerable individuals from all backgrounds, including LGBT.”
He continued: “It is untenable for employers to be allowed to discriminate against Christian beliefs in this way and to force individuals to promote an ideology that goes against their conscience in the workplace.
“There was no mutual respect, and no tolerance and inclusion of me and my beliefs whatsoever. If we get to the point where if you don’t celebrate and support LGBT you can’t have a job, then every Christian out there doesn’t have a future.
“You can study as much as you like, but you will not have a chance. The UK is no longer the country I heard about all those years ago when fleeing Cameroon. The UK then was a bastion of free speech and expression.”
The case will begin on Tuesday at Leeds Employment Tribunal.