Bishop denies discriminating against gay man

A Church of England Bishop has denied unlawfully discriminating against a homosexual man who was turned down for the post of youth worker within his diocese.

The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, told an employment tribunal in Cardiff that he was complying with the teachings of the Church when he decided not to give 41-year-old John Reaney the job.

The Bishop said the sexuality of Mr Reaney was not the issue but his lifestyle or behaviour was; specifically having sex outside of marriage. Mr Reaney, a committed Christian from Llandudno, north Wales, claims being openly gay cost him the job, and he has lodged a claim for unlawful discrimination against the Hereford Diocesan Board of Finance. Read more