From CFNews: A Christian fireman who was disciplined for refusing to hand out leaflets at a homosexual pride march has received damages from his employers. John Mitchell was one of nine Glasgow firefighters who disobeyed orders to work at the Pride Scotia rally in 2006. One of them was demoted, while the others received written warnings and were given 'diversity training'.
Mr Mitchell took his case to an employment tribunal but has reached an out-of-court settlement. The firefighters, who had been based at the Cowcaddens station, claimed it would be embarrassing to attend the rally in uniform, while others claimed it would contradict their moral beliefs. Mr Mitchell began employment tribunal proceedings after exhausting Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service's internal appeals procedure.
It is understood that Mr Mitchell, a Catholic, has received damages and an apology from his employer as part of the settlement, and is prevented from discussing the case.
Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, condemned the agreement. He said: 'The Strathclyde Fire Service should have seen this through. The case would have set an important precedent - that public service workers cannot pick and choose which section of the public they will and won't serve. Although no life was threatened because this man refused to hand out safety leaflets, what if he, or his colleagues, now decide that they don't want to deal with homosexuals at all? Who is to tell them they can't now?' [BBC]
Mr Mitchell took his case to an employment tribunal but has reached an out-of-court settlement. The firefighters, who had been based at the Cowcaddens station, claimed it would be embarrassing to attend the rally in uniform, while others claimed it would contradict their moral beliefs. Mr Mitchell began employment tribunal proceedings after exhausting Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service's internal appeals procedure.
It is understood that Mr Mitchell, a Catholic, has received damages and an apology from his employer as part of the settlement, and is prevented from discussing the case.
Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, condemned the agreement. He said: 'The Strathclyde Fire Service should have seen this through. The case would have set an important precedent - that public service workers cannot pick and choose which section of the public they will and won't serve. Although no life was threatened because this man refused to hand out safety leaflets, what if he, or his colleagues, now decide that they don't want to deal with homosexuals at all? Who is to tell them they can't now?' [BBC]
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