A Christian social worker who was declined a job position because of his views on marriage and sexuality online, continues to seek reprieve from the Court of Appeal, in the United Kingdom.
Felix Ngole is challenging a decision to send part of his discrimination claim against mental health charity Touchstone Leeds, back to an employment tribunal.
Initially mental health charity Touchstone Leeds offered Felix Ngole, a post in which he would be providing support to citizens leaving the hospital in 2022. He alleges that after an internet search yielded reports about his Christian beliefs, the conditional job offer was withdrawn. Following a second interview in which his beliefs and how he would carry out the role was discussed, the charity did not reinstate the offer.
When brought before the Employment Tribunal, it was determined that Touchstone had directly discriminated against Ngole when it initially withdrew the offer, but accepted its decision not to reinstate it after a second interview.
The Employment Appeal Tribunal, however, discovered some flaws in the tribunal’s analysis of Touchstone’s reasons for a second interview and its ultimate decision. As a result, it ruled that these sections of the case should be reconsidered by the Employment Tribunal.
Before the Court of Appeal, Ngole challenged the ruling to have his case reviewed by the same tribunal and same panel. He is petitioning the Court of Appeal to instead rule that the established facts already demonstrate direct discrimination.
Speaking ahead of the hearing, Ngole expressed gratitude that the Employment Appeal Tribunal recognised the flaws in the original judgment. He however contended that after years of litigation, it cannot be right to repeat the same process of review by the same tribunal.
“I am determined to pursue this appeal and seek a clear and lasting precedent for Christian freedom. I do not want another employer to see this case as permission to treat as a risk to the public, or to demand that they abandon, conceal or apologise for lawful beliefs before they can work,” he said
“No one should be forced out of a career because their biblical beliefs are known. I hope the Court of Appeal will bring this long process to an end and affirm that Christians must be assessed according to their conduct and professional ability, not according to stereotypes about their faith,” he also stated.
He is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which said his case was “clear viewpoint discrimination” and that it had “wider implications for Christian freedom”.
