Gay man takes C of E bishop to employment tri

A gay man has accused a bishop of sexual discrimination and is taking him to an employment tribunal in Cardiff.

John Reaney, 41, from Colwyn Bay, Wales, claims that Church of England bishop, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, refused to appoint him as a youth worker on the grounds of his sexuality.

Mr Reaney claims that he had been honest and open about his sexuality, but had been told that he was not being given the post after meeting with Bishop Priddis, despite a successful interview.

Reverend Priddis insists that his decision was taken in Mr Reaney's best interests as he had just come out of a five year gay relationship. The Hereford Diocesan Board of Finance denies the sexual discrimination allegations.

However, Mr Reaney claims that, in line with Church of England policy, he gave the bishop assurances that he had no intention of entering into another gay relationship and was subjected to questions about his sex and personal life that he would not have faced had he been heterosexual.

Describing the Church of England's policy on gay people as a "shambles", Mr Reaney accused the church of inconsistency, as he has previously worked as a youth officer for the Norwich and Chester Church of England diocese.

Judgement in the case has been reserved for several weeks. Gay rights charity Stonewall Cymru has provided funding for Mr Reaney's legal challenge, a test case relating to 2003 employment laws outlawing discrimination against people on grounds of their sexual orientation.

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Date:18/04/2007 08:31:06