Housing boss's demotion an "over-reaction"

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Legal

A housing boss's demotion for criticising gay marriage was described as an "extraordinary over-reaction" in court on Friday.

Adrian Smith was demoted from his managerial role and given a 40% pay cut by employer Trafford Housing Trust (THT) after he wrote on his Facebook page that gay marriage was "an equality too far".

Mr Smith has now taken THT to court to try to recover what he claims are his "lost earnings". His lawyer, Hugh Tomlinson QC, told the court on Friday that "the whole thing is a huge and extraordinary over-reaction”.

The Christian Institute - a national charity that says it protects the civil liberty of Christians - is supporting Mr Smith's case.

In statement last week, THT said: "In October 2011 Mr Smith issued a claim for a breach of human rights and breach of contract against THT in the Manchester County Court. In March 2012 a Pre Hearing Review was held on the issue of Human Rights. This element of the claim was dismissed as the Court found that Mr Smith had no reasonable cause of action against THT. Mr Smith was ordered to pay our costs of defending his claim and he did not try to make any legal appeal over that decision.  This part of his claim is therefore dismissed.

"There is now a second hearing relating to the Trust's decision to demote him from his position as a Manager. This is taking place in Manchester County Court."