The Bishop of Hereford has been named Bigot of the Year by UK gay equality group Stonewall after he refused a homosexual youth worker a job, reports the BBC. The Right Reverend Anthony Priddis discriminated against John Reaney "on the grounds of sexual orientation", an employment tribunal ruled in July. Mr Reaney, of Llandudno, Conwy, had been asked "humiliating" questions about past relationships, it heard. The Diocese of Hereford said it would not be commenting on the award. The tribunal heard Mr Reaney had been interviewed for the job and was told that the members of the eight-strong interview panel had recommended him. The bishop had then interviewed Mr Reaney, who was single, about his relationship history. The tribunal ruled Rt Revd Priddis had broken the law by considering Mr Reaney's past and potential future lifestyle, rather than his lifestyle at the time. After the tribunal, Rt Revd Priddis said he still believed he had taken the correct decision. Under employment law it is illegal to discriminate against people as a result of their sexual orientation, but the law contains an exemption for organised religion.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 3rd November 2007 - 10:06am