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you know this would not be an issue if a muslim person or jewish person said they would not officiate this marriage because it was against their belief because in reality these beliefs are more recognised than the christian faith. At the time she was employed it was the law that marriage was only between one man and one women. The fact that civil partnership was introduced does not mean she had to changer her belief. Not so long ago a school went as far as not celebrating what was deemed as christian celebration for fear of offending muslims, thereby putting one faith over another. How does that make sense? Infact Islington themselves in their equal ops policies say they would respect all irrespective of their religious or political beliefs. So if that is the case then why was Lilians choice not respected. She to my understanding did not abuse the couple, she just advised she could not conduct the ceremony due to her belief. Now if Islington were doing there job correctly they should have picked someone that day whom they knew had no issue with marryig this couple, as oppose to be deliberately placing her in a contentcious situation. I mean the spend time collating data on staff about their religious and ethnic status, so should know especially in this matter. The fact that she was a christian was not hidden. But the so called policy used to abuse her rights also was suppose to protect her right to choose not to conduct the ceremony only. Sense has nvr been Islingtons goal.

- Jane, London

Well, Bob, you might have found her to be exceptionally pleasant. I doubt you'd have the same view if you were Gay or Lesbian and wishing to have a Civil Partnership. Personally, if she walked in the door to officiate at my ceremony I'd walk out the other.

- Angiers, Brighton, UK

Simon from London, your argument doesn't stand up. All public servants know that they have to do the bidding of their political masters. What the head of the Foreign Office has to say or do on a particular issue under Labour may well change if the Tories get in, etc. It goes with the territory of being a state-sector worker. And if you don't like the terms, ship on out.

- Ortelius, Hampstead, London

some of the other commentators have missed the point in the story that she was employed in the registry office for over a decade before the law was changed to allow gay'marriages'.

The fact that she was employed for so long means that her conditions of employment have been changed unilaterally - as she never had to conduct them before - surley means she can refuse to officiate at such 'weddings'.

- Simon, london

Jesus condemned divorcees as adulterers yet Ladele who herself has admitted to being a single mother with an illegitimate son seeks to judge others but not be judged herself. How can she as an adulteress talk about upholding her supposedly Christian beliefs when she seems to have no problem wedding divorcees, adulterers etc.

- Steve, London, UK

If she is a true Christian then none of the marriages she participates in are made "in the sight of God" so, by officiating at civil ceremonies, she appears to be condoning people who are "living in sin". So, get it straight woman.

- Philip, London

Civil ceremonies have nothing to do with god or religion. If this woman truly objected on religious grounds, she would not just refuse gay ceremonies, but straight civil ceremonies as well. My understanding is, she only objected to gay ceremonies - so clearly it's not about her 'religious' beleifs then.

- J Mathews, Glasgow, Scotland

if she doesn't want to abide by the rules of law in this country, then she should find another job that fits within her value system.

we live in democracy where her, and others have the right to be heard, however the law of the land having taken that into account has declared that gay marriages are legal and valid unions in the secular state.

if her beliefs do not allow her to function, she should find another career. religious beliefs are personal, and do not afford you the right to have your cake and eat it too.

- Scott, London

She is not marrying anyone in the "sight of God". She is agreeing that two people are joined legally. That's is the law of this country and if she disagrees with that then she can't do her job properly and shouldn't have it.

- Stuart Evans, London

Civil ceremonies are just that, Civil not religious. No religious music or readings are allowed so the officiant, who is a civil servant not a religious celebrant, cannot allow their own religious leanings to be introduced.

- John, Strood, Kent

Nicola, if she refused to marry people of a certain race because of a belief she held would that also be permissible because someone else could always be found to conduct the service? How would you feel if you were one of the people who she refussed to marry? You are right to say that religion is a personnel choice, she has chosen those beliefs but they don’t give her the right to discriminate. Being gay isn’t a “choice” it is the way people are and they deserve to be offered equal respect, this is 2009 after all.

- Nj, London

In strict biblical terms, marriage is an institution afforded to us by God as a completion of the act of creation.

- Andrew Rodgers, Swindon, UK

What if you refuse the use of your establishment to a person wearing a cross ????
What next ?????
This is going to far - her job is to make civil unions !!! If you can not comply to your job description, you are not fit to do your job

- Zaz, devon

The woman is paid to be a registrar, if for whatever religious reason she can't do the job then she should leave. If she still refuses to do her job, sack her! End of. The woman's religious beliefs are not relevant, wether is Jesus Christ, Allah, Obi Wan Kenobi or fairies at the bottom of the garden it is something she should keep private. You can't have public servants choosing who they will work with based on sexuality no more than race or religion. Miss Ladelle needs to either do her job or get out!

- Ed, Hants

Islington's appeal against the judgement in the Ladele case was the last heard by the departing head of the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Sir Patrick Elias. I'll be interested to see if Ms Ladele is successful in gaining leave to appeal to the Appeal Court, but in view of Mr Justice Elias's record I think it unlikely that the Appeal Court will find anything more to say.

- Tony Sidaway, London, UK

Does the same apply for Muslims then if they don't want to handle pork and alcohol if it is part of their jobs? Or is it ok for them to be given special treatment so that we don't offend them?
I am sure there must other registrars available to conduct the gay weddings so don't see why it should be such a big issue.
Daveb - she isn't saying she wants to stop them just that she doesn't want to conduct the service. I am sure that she can still do her job without having to be involved in the gay weddings.
Religion is a personal matter not necessarily "private"

- Nicola, London

It is well understood that civil ceremonies ban even the slightest acknowledgement of religion in the order of service - we had to re-write our vows twice because they were considered to similar to church vows. The same must apply to the registrar! The whole point about civil ceremonies is that religion is left well and truly outside the front door.

- Isabel, Woking

I wonder does she also refuse to marry divorcees???

- Paul, London, UK

She was employed as a registrar,she is not employed for her views,she can not pick and choose who she thinks is fit to join together in a civil partnership,and civil partnership is the operative word,it is not a church service and is nothing to do with her god.Islington council did right to dismiss her for refusing to carry out her duties and thay should also dismiss any employe that exhibits such prejudice's towards the diverse community they are employed to serve,as a black person she above all must realise that.

- Kev, London-UK

I am sick and tired of the media and others using the term "gay marriage." To be married in the UK, you are subject to the Marriage Act which does not allow same sex couples to marry. Article 12 of the Human Rights Act states that "men and women of a marriageable age can get married and found a family subject to the laws that govern that act in the country the marriage is to take place in. It is the Civil Partnership Act that confers the same rights as married couples onto same sex couples such as property and pension rights. Under British Law, it cannot ever be described as marriage. Come on people, get it right!
As for the registrar, she is not performing her role as a registrar. Therefore, If she has a moral objection, she should find another job.

- Mr Pedantic, London

She paid to do a job and she should do it. Religious believe is a private matter and should stay that way.

- John David, London

she doesn't have a right, legal or spiritual to stop others doing what they please, the most she has is the right to disagree with the issue, but she is paid to do a job and must fulfil it.

- Daveb, london

I was married by Lillian in the Barbican conservatory and found her to be an exceptionally pleasant person.

- Bob, Cheam

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