Council worker sues over religious sacking

A council worker who was sacked for telling a woman with an incurable disease to turn to God is set to take the local authority to an employment tribunal.

Duke Amachree, 53, was dismissed from his post as a homelessness prevention officer at Wandsworth council for discussing religion with a client.

Mr Amachree claims he was sacked unfairly by the council and said he only had a brief conversation with the woman during which he suggested that she turn to God because doctors may not have all the answers.

His solicitor, Michael Phillips, said he was suspended in January and claims that he was told by the council that he should not discuss religion at work, and should not even say "God bless" to clients.

Wandsworth council strongly denied this and have accused Mr Phillips of taking remarks made in the meeting out of context.

A source in the council's housing department said that the customer complained she was subjected to a 30-minute "barrage" as Mr Amachree told her that the only reason she was ill was that she did not believe in God.

The source said: "He told her that she shouldn't trust doctors and that only God could cure her. He also suggested that she watch a series of videos on miracles if she wanted to be cured."

Mr Phillips said the council's decision to dismiss Mr Amachree, a member of the UK World Evangelism Church, was "a clear manifestation of secular intolerance".

Mr Amachree claims that the council's decision to dismiss him is a breach of his human rights. He said: "I was stunned when they suspended me. I thought it was a dream."