Christian registrars 'terrified' of being hounded out of jobs over civil partnerships » Local Government » 24dash.com

Some Christian registrars are "terrified" of being hounded out of their jobs for not carrying out same-sex marriages, an employment tribunal was told today.

Many authorities have reached a compromise with staff whose religious beliefs clash with the idea of same-sex civil partnerships, but a climate of fear has grown since they were introduced in December 2005.

Elizabeth Thatcher, a Christian and a Kent council registrar since November 2000, told the Central London Employment Tribunal: "I have heard of one Christian who has had to resign, but I know of others who have been accommodated."

Speaking of one registrar, who she refused to name, Mrs Thatcher said: "She told me that she was terrified about herself or her authority being identified because she could be vilified or the authority put under pressure to remove her."

Mrs Thatcher was giving evidence at a landmark discrimination case being brought by Christian registrar, Lillian Ladele, 47, against north London's Islington council.

Miss Ladele claims she was bullied, shunned and accused of being homophobic for refusing to carry out civil partnerships, which she believes are "sinful".

Miss Ladele says the council is forcing her to choose between her religion and her £31,000-a-year job after registrars were put under the direct control of town halls in December.

She is now required to perform whichever ceremonies the council requests. Miss Ladele had previously swapped shifts and arranged to avoid same-sex ceremonies, as registrars were effectively freelance before the change.

Her case is expected to lead to a landmark ruling over whether employees can be required to act against their consciences.

Islington Council denies religious victimisation and discrimination.

Mrs Thatcher, a registrar for 15 years who shares Miss Ladele's Christian beliefs, has a "gentleman's agreement" with her council where they do not require her to do civil partnerships.

She discussed her concerns with them ahead of the ceremonies being introduced.

She told the panel that she was "very pleased" when her town hall bosses agreed to discuss the situation and also to "accommodate" her.

She noted that her contract is not signed "at the moment" because it is being examined by the authorities' lawyers.

Mrs Thatcher told the hearing: "My suspicion is that they are waiting for the outcome of Miss Ladele's case."

She also told the tribunal of a registrar, whom she named as Judith Bartlett, who has a "similar" agreement with her authority because of her religious beliefs.

Mrs Thatcher said: "She is concerned about being identified because she did not want to put pressure on her authority to change her mind, but she has now agreed to this in the hope that, with one year to retirement, she is not so vulnerable."