Why I barred gay worker, by the bishop

An Anglican bishop yesterday denied unlawfully discriminating against a gay worker in a case with far-reaching implications for equality laws.

The Right Reverend Anthony Priddis, Bishop of Hereford, claimed he vetoed the appointment of John Reaney because he was having sex outside marriage, not because of his homosexuality.

He said he was simply complying with the teachings of the Church.

But Mr Reaney claims his homosexuality was the only reason he was turned down for the £25,000-ayear diocesan youth worker's job, and says the bishop breached employment laws governing sexual discrimination.

The landmark case will go a long way to deciding how far religious organisations must adhere to equality laws passed in 2003 which barred discrimination against workers because of their sexual orientation.

Churches were given an exemption to the laws to allow them to turn down gays for clerical posts, but traditionalists have argued that the exemption should also apply to lay posts.

An employment tribunal in Cardiff was told yesterday that Mr Reaney, 41, had admitted he was gay on his application form and was approved for the job in July last year by an eight-man interview panel which included two vicars.

Bishop Priddis, 59, a father of three, then called him in for a discussion, during which he was asked about his private life.

Mr Reaney said he had recently ended a five-year homosexual relationship and gave an undertaking that he would not have another.

But, said the bishop, giving evidence: "I had my misgivings. If he had remained celibate it would have satisfied this issue. The question was, did I have good reason for believing that was his position, and my conclusion was: no."

He said he made it clear to Mr Reaney that a person in a committed sexual relationship outside of marriage, whether heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or transgender, would also be turned down for the job, which he said was a key appointment within the diocese.

"What is at issue is the lifestyle, practice and sexual behaviour."

Bishop Priddis said that in other respects Mr Reaney was an outstanding candidate for the job.

"We got on well. I liked him and it was with a heavy heart I made the decision I did."

Mr Reaney, from Llandudno, North Wales, is having his legal costs met by the gay rights organisation Stonewall.

The case is being heard against the backdrop of a row between the Government and the Catholic Church over a separate equality law which came into force this year banning organisations from discriminating against gays in any way.

This means that Catholic adoption agencies are not allowed to refuse to place children with gay couples.

The hearing continues.