Payout for Christian who refused to perform gay weddings

Lillian Ladele, 47, was bullied and threatened with the sack from a London council after asking to be excused from conducting civil partnerships for gay men and women because of her deeply held religious beliefs, a tribunal found.

Islington Council cared too much about the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community, the panel ruled.

It showed "no respect" for Miss Ladele's rights as an orthodox Christian and gave her an ultimatum to choose between her beliefs and her £31,000-a-year job, which she held for nearly 16 years.

She was treated like a "pariah" by colleagues and left in an "intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment", the tribunal found.

The Central London tribunal upheld Miss Ladele's claims of discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of religion or beliefs.

Its landmark ruling that employees cannot be required to act against their consciences has implications for the 18,000 same-sex ceremonies conducted nationwide each year.

Council chiefs had insisted it would give the wrong message if Miss Ladele was exempted. Her subsequent claim had outraged gay rights groups.

But the tribunal ruled: "This is a situation where there is a conflict between two rights or freedoms. It is an important case, which may have a wider impact than the dispute between the parties. The tribunal accepts that it would be wrong for one set of rights to trump another.

"Islington Council rightly considered the importance of the right of the gay community not to be discriminated against, but did not consider the right of Miss Ladele as a member of a religious group."

Referring to the council's failure to take Miss Ladele's concerns seriously, and its disciplining of her, the tribunal ruled: "These acts amount to a violation of Miss Ladele's dignity and created an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for her."

It noted that council staff had admitted they could provide a "first class service" without Miss Ladele being forced to carry out civil partnership ceremonies.

It also found that Miss Ladele had a good work record, dealing regularly with gay men and women.

Speaking after the ruling, Miss Ladele said: "I am delighted with the decision. It is a victory for religious liberty, not just for myself but for others in a similar position to mine. Gay rights should not be used as an excuse to bully or harass people over their religious beliefs."

Miss Ladele's legal fees were paid by the Christian Institute.

Her compensation will be considered by the tribunal in September, with there being no limit to the amount a panel can award for religious discrimination.